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Identify vs Description - What's the difference?

identify | description |

In biology|lang=en terms the difference between identify and description

is that identify is (biology) to establish the taxonomic classification of an organism while description is (biology) a scientific documentation of a specimen intended to reveal a new species by technically explaining its characteristics and particularly how it differs from other species.

As a verb identify

is to establish the identity of someone or something.

As a noun description is

a sketch or account of anything in words; a portraiture or representation in language; an enumeration of the essential qualities of a thing or species.

identify

English

Verb

  • To establish the identity of someone or something.
  • *
  • (biology) To establish the taxonomic classification of an organism.
  • *
  • To equate or make the same; to unite or combine into one.
  • * D. Ramsay
  • Every precaution is taken to identify the interests of the people and of the rulers.
  • * Burke
  • Let us identify , let us incorporate ourselves with the people.
  • (reflexive) To have a strong affinity (with); to feel oneself to be modelled on or connected to.
  • * 1999 , Joyce Crick, translating Sigmund Freud, The Interpretation of Dreams , Oxford 2008, p. 117:
  • The dream is given a new interpretation if in her dream she means not herself but her friend, if she has put herself in the place of her friend, or, as we may say, she has identified herself with her.
  • To associate oneself with some group.
  • *
  • To claim an identity; to describe oneself as a member of a group; to assert the use of a particular term to describe oneself.
  • * {{quote-magazine
  • , year=2010 , author= , title=Youth Who Self-Identify as Gay, Lesbian or Bisexual at Higher Suicide Risk, Say Researchers , date=Feb. 6, 2010 , magazine=Science Daily citation , passage="The main message is that it's the interface between individuals and society that causes students who identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual the most distress," said study first author Yue Zhao. }}

    Synonyms

    * to ID

    description

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A sketch or account of anything in words; a portraiture or representation in language; an enumeration of the essential qualities of a thing or species.
  • The act of describing; a delineation by marks or signs.
  • A set of characteristics by which someone or something can be recognized.
  • (biology) A scientific documentation of a specimen intended to reveal a new species by technically explaining its characteristics and particularly how it differs from other species.
  • The type description of the fungus was written by a botanist.

    Synonyms

    * (characteristics) sort, kind, type, variety

    See also

    * synopsis * interpretation

    Anagrams

    * ----