description

noun

Etymology: From Middle English descripcioun, from Old French description and its etymon, Latin dēscrīptiō, noun of action of dēscrībō (“to describe”). Equivalent to describe + -tion.

1. A sketch or account of anything in words; a portraiture or representation in language; an enumeration of the essential qualities of a thing or species.

   “give a verbal description of the events”

   “a realistic description”

2. The act of describing; a delineation by marks or signs.
3. A set of characteristics by which someone or something can be recognized.

   “The zoo had no lions, tigers, or cats of any description.”

4. A scientific documentation of a taxon for the purpose of introducing it to science.

   “The type description of the fungus was written by a botanist.”

5. The act or practice of recording and describing actual language usage in a given speech community, as opposed to prescription, i.e. laying down norms of language usage.
6. A descriptive linguistic survey.