# cite

Pronunciation: US say "SYT" /saɪt/; UK

## Verb

1. To identify the sources of the information, wording, or literary or spoken material one has used.
   - Simple: To name where you got your facts, words, or ideas from.
   - _Researchers must cite every source they draw on in their work._
   - _He failed to cite the studies that supported his argument._
2. To quote a passage from a book or the exact words of another person.
   - Simple: To repeat someone's exact words, like a line from a book.
   - _Fans still cite the coach's halftime speech line by line, years after the championship._
   - _She cited Shakespeare twice during her speech._
3. To officially or authoritatively summon someone to appear in court.
   - Simple: To officially order someone to come to court.
   - _Police can cite motorists who run red lights._
   - _The court cited the witness to testify the following week._
4. To mention something or make mention of it.
   - Simple: To bring something up or mention it when speaking or writing.
   - _The president cited rising employment during the speech._
   - _Reviewers frequently cite the novel's vivid imagery._
5. To mention something as a reason or explanation.
   - Simple: To bring something up as a reason or explanation.
   - _The company cited rising costs to justify the price increase._
   - _Officials cite safety concerns whenever they close the bridge._

## Noun

6. A citation; a reference identifying where information was taken from. *(colloquial)*
   - Simple: A note showing where facts or words came from.
   - _Each claim needs a cite so readers can check the source._
   - _She added a quick cite to back up her statement._

## Origin

**Meanings 1–5** — From Old French 'citer', from Latin 'citare' ("to cause to move, excite, summon"), a frequentative of 'ciēre' ("to rouse, excite, call").
**Meaning 6** — Formed from the first syllable of 'citation', much like 'quote' comes from 'quotation'.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/cite (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).