cite

Formscites, citing, cited

Pluralcites

1. 1
   verbtransitive

   To identify the sources of the information, wording, or literary or spoken material one has used.

   Researchers must cite every source they draw on in their work.

   He failed to cite the studies that supported his argument.

   Similarreference, acknowledge, credit

2. 2
   verbtransitive

   To quote a passage from a book or the exact words of another person.

   Fans still cite the coach's halftime speech line by line, years after the championship.

   She cited Shakespeare twice during her speech.

   Similarquote, recite

   Note

   Quoting is a kind of calling up. The verb came through Old French citer from Latin citare, "to cause to move, summon", itself built on ciēre, "to rouse, call". Its object can be the words or their author: you cite a passage, or you cite Shakespeare. The courtroom summons stays closest to the Latin, because there a person, not a passage, is the one being called.

3. 3
   verbtransitive

   To officially or authoritatively summon someone to appear in court.

   Police can cite motorists who run red lights.

   The court cited the witness to testify the following week.

   Similarsummon, subpoena, ticket

   Note

   In law and its enforcement, the verb names an official order to appear. It takes a person as its object, and for introduces the offense: rangers cited five demonstrators, though the chairman did not say what they were cited for. The same pattern covers the motorist cited for running a red light. The paperwork itself is a citation.

4. 4
   verbtransitive

   To mention something or make mention of it.

   The president cited rising employment during the speech.

   Reviewers frequently cite the novel's vivid imagery.

   Similarmention, note, highlight

5. 5
   verbtransitive

   To mention something as a reason or explanation.

   The company cited rising costs to justify the price increase.

   Officials cite safety concerns whenever they close the bridge.

   Similarinvoke

6. 6
   nouncolloquialcountable

   A citation; a reference identifying where information was taken from.

   Each claim needs a cite so readers can check the source.

   She added a quick cite to back up her statement.

   Similarreference, source

   Note

   A clipping rather than a new use of the verb: cite here is the first syllable of citation, shortened the way quote was cut from quotation. It is informal shorthand, at home in talk about research, where cites are counted to gauge how much a published paper matters. In formal writing, citation remains the safer choice.

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