description

Etymology

From Old French description, from Latin dēscrīptiō, noun of action of dēscrībō (“I describe”).

noun

1. 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.
   give a verbal description of the events
   a realistic description
2. The act of describing; a delineation by marks or signs.
3. A set of characteristics by which someone or something can be recognized.
   The zoo had no lions, tigers, or cats of any description.
4. (taxonomy) A scientific documentation of a taxon for the purpose of introducing it to science.
   The type description of the fungus was written by a botanist.
5. (linguistics) The act or practice of recording and describing actual language usage in a given speech community, as opposed to prescription, i.e. laying down norms of language usage.
6. (linguistics) A descriptive linguistic survey.