cite

¹

[sahyt]

verb (used with object)

cited, citing 

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.

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

Other Word Forms

• citable adjective
• citeable adjective
• citer noun
• noncitable adjective
• nonciteable adjective
• uncitable adjective
• unciteable adjective
• uncited 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

Robinson also said the report largely regurgitated facts already in the public domain, citing the controversy of then-Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill at the funeral of Bobby Storey.

Read more on BBC

Thirty years later, “Mellon Collie” is recognized as one of the most influential rock albums of the decade, later cited as inspiration by later acts like Muse, My Chemical Romance and Silversun Pickups.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In an interview with Salon, Romman said that Georgia is ready for change, citing reporting from Moody’s Analytics’ Mark Zandi that 22 states, Georgia among them, are already in a recession.

Read more on Salon

About a month after his New World tour began in August 2024, Glover postponed the tour, and then later cancelled the remaining dates, citing health issues.

Read more on BBC

In 2019, Phoenix News, a state-affiliated broadcaster, extolled the virtues of buying property in Palau, citing abundant tourism resources and relaxed legislation.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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