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Describe vs Depict - What's the difference?

describe | depict | Synonyms |

Depict is a synonym of describe.



In obsolete terms the difference between describe and depict

is that describe is to distribute into parts, groups, or classes; to mark off; to class while depict is depicted.

As verbs the difference between describe and depict

is that describe is to represent in words while depict is to render a representation of something, using words, sounds, s, or other means.

As an adjective depict is

depicted.

describe

English

Verb

(describ)
  • (label) To represent in words.
  • * November 2 2014 , Daniel Taylor, " Sergio Agüero strike wins derby for Manchester City against 10-man United," guardian.co.uk
  • Yet the truth is that City would probably have been coasting by that point if the referee, Michael Oliver, had not turned down three separate penalties, at least two of which could be accurately described as certainties.
  • *{{quote-book, year=1959, author=(Georgette Heyer), title=(The Unknown Ajax), chapter=1
  • , passage=
  • (label) To represent by drawing; to draw a plan of; to delineate; to trace or mark out.
  • * 1826 , (James Fenimore Cooper), (The Last of the Mohicans)
  • Uncas described an arc in the water with his own blade, and as the canoe passed swiftly on, Chingachgook recovered his paddle, and flourishing it on high, he gave the war-whoop of the Mohicans.
  • To give rise to a geometrical structure.
  • To reveal a new species by scientifically explaining its characteristics and particularly how it differs from other species.
  • (label) To distribute into parts, groups, or classes; to mark off; to class.
  • * Bible, (w) xviii. 9
  • Passed through the land, and described it by cities into seven parts in a book.

    Synonyms

    * (to represent in words) portray, betell, depict, report * (to represent in writing) bewrite

    depict

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To render a representation of something, using words, sounds, images, or other means.
  • * 1984 , Lawrence Starr, "Toward a Reevaluation of Gershwin's Porgy and Bess," American Music , vol. 2, no. 2, p. 27,
  • The well-known words depict a woman seeking sanctuary in a love relationship form a brutal, rapacious man.
  • * 1987 , Niall O'Loughlin, "Music Reviews: 20th-century guitar," The Musical Times , vol. 128, no. 1734, p. 443,
  • Here the music depicts the delicate pattern of ice on windows.
  • * 1994 , E. Pennisi, "Breathe (xenon) deeply to see lungs clearly," Science News , vol. 146, no. 5, p. 70 (caption),
  • False-color computer images depict lungs removed from a mouse.

    Usage notes

    * The subjects of the verb include words, music and images.

    Synonyms

    * portray, supply, figure, express, exhibit, register, show, return, establish, shew, deliver, present, read, indicate, evidence, point, record, testify, fancy, picture, translate, visualize, usher, give, envision, turn in, designate, limn, show up, render, evince, provide, prove, image, yield, demonstrate, fork out, draw, visualise, generate, describe, interpret, project, submit

    Adjective

    (-)
  • (obsolete) Depicted.
  • (Lydgate)