quote

quote

See also: Quote

English

Etymology

    From Middle English quoten, coten (to mark (a book) with chapter numbers or marginal references), from Old French coter, from Medieval Latin quotāre (to distinguish by numbers, number chapters), itself from Latin quotus (which, what number (in sequence)), from quot (how many) and related to quis (who). The sense developed via “to give as a reference, to cite as an authority” to “to copy out exact words” (since 1680); the business sense “to state the price of a commodity” (1866) revives the etymological meaning. The noun, in the sense of “quotation,” is attested from 1885; see also usage note, below.

    Pronunciation

    Noun

    quote (plural quotes)

    1. A statement attributed to a person; a quotation.
      She loved reading quotes of famous people.
    2. A quotation mark.
    3. A summary of work to be done with a set price; a quotation.
      After going over the hefty quotes, the board decided it was cheaper to have the project executed by its own staff.
    4. A price set and offered (by the potential seller) for a financial security or commodity; a quotation.
      Hyponym: estimate
      Coordinate terms: order, purchase order (the buyer's complement)

    Usage notes

    Until the late 19th century, quote was exclusively used as a verb. Since then, it has been used as a shortened form of both quotation and quotation mark; see etymology, above. This use as a noun is well understood and widely used, although it is often rejected in formal and academic contexts.[1]

    Derived terms

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    References

    Verb

    quote (third-person singular simple present quotes, present participle quoting, simple past and past participle quoted)

    1. (transitive) To repeat (the exact words of a person).
      The writer quoted the president's speech.
    2. (transitive) To prepare a summary of work to be done and set a price; to estimate.
      Can you believe they quoted me $5,000?
    3. (commerce, transitive) To name the current price, notably of a financial security.
    4. (intransitive) To indicate verbally or by equivalent means the start of a quotation.
    5. (archaic) To observe, to take account of.
      • 1598, John Marston, “Satyre IV”, in The Metamorphosis of Pigmalions Image, and Certaine Satyres (poem):
        But must our moderne Critticks envious eye
        Seeme thus to quote some grosse deformity?
      • 1600, Shakespeare, Hamlet, act 2, scene 1:
        That hath made him mad.
        I am sorry that with better heed and judgment
        I had not quoted him. I fear'd he did but trifle …
      • 1606, John Day, The Isle of Gulls:
        I prethe doe, twill be a sceane of mirth
        For me to quote his passions and his smiles,
        His amorous haviour, …

    Synonyms

    • (repeat words): cite

    Antonyms

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    Translations

    Particle

    quote

    1. Used in speech to indicate the start of a quotation.
      She told me she was, quote, "too hot for you."

    Derived terms

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    References

    1. ^ Rosenheim, Edward W.; Ann Batko. (2004) When Bad Grammar Happens to Good People: How to Avoid Common Errors in English. Career Press, Franklin Lakes, NJ. p. 207 →ISBN

    Anagrams

    French

    Verb

    quote

    1. inflection of quoter:
      1. first/third-person singular present indicative/subjunctive
      2. second-person singular imperative

    See also

    Anagrams

    Italian

    Noun

    quote f

    1. plural of quota

    Anagrams

    Latin

    Adjective

    quote

    1. vocative masculine singular of quotus