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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

semi-quote en · NOUN

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *sem- Proto-Indo-European *sēmi Latin sēmi-bor. English semi- Proto-Indo-European *kʷótider. Proto-Italic *kʷot Latin quot Latin quotus Medieval Latin quotāreder. Old French coterbor. Middle English quoten English quote English semi-quote From semi- + quote.

Meanings

  1. A single quotation mark, ('). This is often used for a quote within a quote, as in "Tom said 'What?'"
  2. A punctuation mark to indicate that the text is a semi-quote, i.e. a close paraphrase that uses some of the author's original words.
  3. A phrase that is a close paraphrase that uses some of the authors original words. For instance: "A fanatic is someone who will not change his mind or the subject of discussion," according to Winston Churchill.

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
semiquote alternative lexicographic
semi-quotes Number=Plur lexicographic

semi-quote en · VERB

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *sem- Proto-Indo-European *sēmi Latin sēmi-bor. English semi- Proto-Indo-European *kʷótider. Proto-Italic *kʷot Latin quot Latin quotus Medieval Latin quotāreder. Old French coterbor. Middle English quoten English quote English semi-quote From semi- + quote.

Meanings

  1. To make a close paraphrase of a quotation, using some of its words.
    • Instead of magnifying the damnation of those who follow not the truth (as the village understood it), she was content to semi-quote […] 2006, Ernest Thompson Seton, Rolf in the Woods:
  2. (informal) To modify a quote, adapting it to different circumstances but preserving the intent.
    • To semi-quote Shakespeare...

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
semi-quotes Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres lexicographic
semiquote alternative lexicographic
semi-quoted Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
semi-quoted Tense=Past lexicographic
semi-quoting Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part lexicographic