quote
nounverbparticlecommon in dialogue
- United Kingdom/[k(ʰ)wəʊt]/
- United Kingdom/[kʰwəwt]/
- United States/[kʰwoʊt]/
- Canada/[k(ʰ)woːt]/
- //kwəʊt//
A statement attributed to a person; a quotation.
noun
- 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.
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *kʷ- Proto-Indo-European *kʷó- Proto-Indo-European *-ti Proto-Indo-European *kʷótider. Proto-Italic *kʷot Latin quot Latin quotus Medieval Latin quotāreder. Old French coterbor. Middle English quoten English quote 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.
verb
- 1
To repeat (the exact words of a person).
The writer quoted the president's speech.
- 2
To prepare a summary of work to be done and set a price; to estimate.
Can you believe they quoted me $5,000?
- 3
To name the current price, notably of a financial security.
- 4
To indicate verbally or by equivalent means the start of a quotation.
- 5
archaicTo observe, to take account of.
But must our moderne Critticks envious eye Seeme thus to quote some grosse deformity?
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 …
I prethe doe, twill be a sceane of mirth For me to quote his passions and his smiles, His amorous haviour, …
particle
- 1
Used in speech to indicate the start of a quotation.
She told me she was, quote, "too hot for you."
Forms
- plural
- quotes
- past tense
- quoted
- past participle
- quoted
- present participle
- quoting
- third person singular
- quotes
quote · A statement attributed to a person; a quotation.
quoting · A quoted statement; a quote.r · The eighteenth letter of the English alphabet, called ar and…R · The eighteenth letter of the English alphabet, called ar and…