descriptor

[dih-skrip-ter]

noun

1. a significant word or phrase used to categorize or describe text or other material, especially when indexing or in an information retrieval system.

2. Computers.,  a data item that stores the attributes of some other datum.

   a task descriptor.

Word History and Origins

Origin of descriptor¹

First recorded in 1930–35, for an earlier sense; describe + -tor, with vowel change and devoicing by analogy with similar Latin derivatives

Example Sentences

But now, we have really refined down the descriptors—we haven’t taken the poetry out of it entirely; we’ve simplified it.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“Dissociative” is a decent descriptor for Isella’s music, too — disorienting, unnerving, drawing out emotions you might not understand.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The book is not unnecessarily maudlin but rather sharply present, which is also simply an accurate descriptor for much of Smith’s life and work.

Read more on Salon

It’s an accurate descriptor considering that Smith, herself, has gone viral for making fancy meals from scratch — even DIY-ing sunscreen — while wearing exuberant fits and a full beat.

Read more on Salon

While reviews were largely positive, The Quietus recoiled at the lack of heavy guitar anthems in a scathing screed that employed descriptors like "unintrusive", "clunking" and "by-numbers detritus".

Read more on BBC