cite

¹

[ sahyt ]

verb (used with object)

, cit·ed, cit·ing.

1. to quote (a passage, book, author, etc.), especially as an authority:

   He cited the Constitution in his defense.

2. to mention in support, proof, or confirmation; refer to as an example:

   He cited many instances of abuse of power.

3. to summon officially or authoritatively to appear in court.
4. to call to mind; recall:

   citing my gratitude to him.

5. Military. to mention (a soldier, unit, etc.) in orders, as for gallantry.
6. to commend, as for outstanding service, hard work, or devotion to duty.
7. to summon or call; rouse to action.

cite

²

[ sahyt ]

noun

1. citation ( defs 7, 8 ).

cite

/ saɪt /

verb

1. to quote or refer to (a passage, book, or author) in substantiation as an authority, proof, or example
2. to mention or commend (a soldier, etc) for outstanding bravery or meritorious action
3. to summon to appear before a court of law
4. to enumerate

   he cited the king's virtues

Derived Forms

• ˈciter, noun
• ˈcitable, adjective

Other Words From

• cit·a·ble cite·a·ble adjective
• cit·er noun
• non·cit·a·ble adjective
• non·cite·a·ble adjective
• un·cit·a·ble adjective
• un·cite·a·ble adjective
• un·cit·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cite¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin citāre “to hurry, set in motion, summon before a court,” frequentative of ciēre “to move, set in motion”

Origin of cite²

An Americanism dating back to 1940–45; by shortening

Word History and Origins

Origin of cite¹

C15: from Old French citer to summon, from Latin citāre to rouse, from citus quick, from ciēre to excite

Example Sentences

“When we were trying to get a certain feel for a song, Dwight would cite a bass part from an old Byrds song from the ’60s,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Raw Story may well cite the loss of licensing income as a “cognizable injury” if and when it files an amended complaint.

From Los Angeles Times

Nonetheless, most voters cite inflation as their most important concern.

From Salon

Even as Trump supporters cite racist theories to justify persecuting people and ignoring the extreme weather caused by climate change, Gaya argued that “climate advocates must also work with migrant justice leaders and climate-displaced people to propose a positive alternative to border militarization that promotes both people's resilience to stay in their homes and orderly, safe pathways to refuge for those who cannot.”

From Salon

Years of polls cite the downward trend in the public’s trust in establishment news and the concurrent rise and expansion of the right-wing media ecosystem.

From Salon

Related Words

• allege
• allude to
• indicate
• mention
• name
• offer
• point out
• present
• recount
• refer to
• repeat
• specify
• spell out
• tell