| mean distance |
the arithmetic average of the greatest and least distances of a planet from the sun, used to describe the size of the planet's orbit. |
| metaphor |
a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is used to describe one thing in terms of another in a nonliteral way, such as "drowning in work". |
| misrepresent |
to identify or describe in a misleading way. [1/2 definitions] |
| misstate |
to describe inaccurately or misleadingly; state incorrectly. |
| modify |
in grammar, to describe or limit or particularize the meaning of; qualify. [1/4 definitions] |
| out of |
used to describe movement outward from a particular location. [3/9 definitions] |
| parse |
in grammar, to separate (a sentence) into its parts and to describe the form and function of each. [2/3 definitions] |
| picture |
to describe, esp. in visual detail. [1/8 definitions] |
| precession |
the complex motion of a rotating body, such as a spinning top, when subjected to a disturbing force or torque that tends to move the axis of rotation in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the force, causing it generally to describe a cone. [1/3 definitions] |
| qualify |
to describe by giving the characteristics of. [1/8 definitions] |
| rags-to-riches |
used to describe a story in which someone starts out in life very poor and later becomes rich. |
| recite |
to describe or relate information concerning, usu. from memory; recount. [1/5 definitions] |
| refer |
to describe or call. [1/5 definitions] |
| represent |
to describe in a particular way (usu. fol. by "as"). [1/8 definitions] |
| set forth |
to formally present, state, or describe (something) in writing or in speech. [1/2 definitions] |
| spell out |
to describe or explain in detail, so as to make unmistakably clear. [1/2 definitions] |
| sugar-free |
used to describe food products containing less than 0.5 grams per serving of sucrose or other forms of sugar. |
| sum up |
to describe succinctly but completely. [1/2 definitions] |
| used to |
functioning as an auxiliary verb followed by the infinitive marker "to," used to describe an action or state that existed in the past but does not happen or exist now. [2 definitions] |
| would |
used to describe a characteristic behavior of someone or something in the past. [1/5 definitions] |
| write up |
to record or describe in writing, esp. in detail. |