denote
/di'nout/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To be a sign or indication of; to mark: "denote" means to serve as a visible or logical sign of something else.
- To make known; to announce or show clearly: "denote" can mean to explicitly communicate or indicate a fact or feeling.
- To have as a literal or primary meaning; to mean: In linguistics, "denote" refers to the direct, explicit meaning of a word or symbol.
Usage Examples
- As a sign or indication:
- A fever often denotes an infection.
- The dark clouds denote an approaching storm.
- To make known or show:
- His silence denoted his disapproval.
- She denoted her agreement with a firm nod.
- To have as a literal meaning:
- In chemistry, the symbol 'Au' denotes gold.
- The word 'canine' denotes a dog or related animal.
Advanced Usage
- In logic and semantics: "Denote" is used to describe the relationship between a word, phrase, or symbol and the object or concept it directly refers to.
- In formal logic, a variable 'x' denotes an unspecified member of a set.
- In formal writing: Often used to introduce a precise definition or the specific meaning of a term.
- As used in this treaty, 'territory' denotes the land area within the recognized borders.
Variants and Related Words
- Denotation (n): The literal, primary meaning of a word, in contrast to the feelings or ideas it suggests.
- The denotation of "home" is a place where one lives.
- Denotative (adj): Having the function of denoting; indicative.
- The denotative meaning of a stop sign is the instruction to halt.
Synonyms
- Indicate: To point out or show.
- Signify: To be a sign of; to mean.
- Designate: To indicate or specify.
- Mean: To have as a sense or signification.
Related Phrases
- Denote by: To indicate or represent something by using a specific sign or symbol.
- In the formula, velocity is denoted by 'v'.
- Denote that: Used to introduce a clause stating what is indicated.
- The asterisk denotes that additional information is available in the footnote.
Notes on Meaning
- Denote vs. Connote: A critical distinction. "Denote" refers to the explicit, literal meaning, while "connote" refers to the ideas or feelings a word suggests in addition to its literal meaning.
- The word "snake" denotes a legless reptile. It can connote danger or deceit.
Verb
- make known; make an announcement
- She denoted her feelings clearly
- have as a meaning
- `multi-' denotes `many'
- be a sign or indication of
- Her smile denoted that she agreed