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denote

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To denote is defined as to represent or be a sign of something.

(verb)

An example of denote is when a brand name indicates quality.
An example of denote is when you use an "X" to represent your signature.

See denote in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb denoted, denoting

to be a sign of; indicate: dark clouds denote rain
to signify or refer to explicitly; stand for; mean: said of words, signs, or symbols
Logic to be the name for (individuals or instances of a class)

Origin: Fr dénoter < MFr < L denotare, to mark out, denote < de-, down + notare, to mark < nota, note

Related Forms:

denotable adjective

See denote in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb de·not·ed, de·not·ing, de·notes

To mark; indicate: a frown that denoted increasing impatience.
To serve as a symbol or name for the meaning of; signify: A flashing yellow light denotes caution.
To signify directly; refer to specifically.

Origin:

Origin: French dénoter

Origin: , from Latin dēnotāre

Origin: : dē-, de-

Origin: + notāre, to mark; see connote

Related Forms:

de·notˈa·ble adjective

de·noˈtive adjective

Usage Note: Denote and connote are often confused because both words have senses that entail signification. Denote means “to signify directly or literally” and describes the relation between the word and the thing it conventionally names. Connote means “to signify indirectly, suggest or imply” and describes the relation between the word and the images or associations it evokes. Thus, the word river denotes a moving body of water and may connote such things as the relentlessness of time and the changing nature of life.

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