Present participle of describe; giving an account or representation of something in words. Outlining the characteristics, appearance, or qualities of a person, object, or situation.
From Latin 'describere' meaning 'to write down' or 'copy,' from 'de-' (down) plus 'scribere' (to write). Originally meant literal transcription, later expanding to verbal representation.
The Latin root reveals that describing was originally about making permanent copies - ancient scribes were literally 'writing down' what they observed. Modern describing still serves this archival function, but now we're creating mental rather than physical copies in our listeners' minds.
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