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enumerate
[ ih-noo-muh-reyt, ih-nyoo- ]
verb (used with object)
- to mention separately as if in counting; name one by one; specify, as in a list:
Let me enumerate the many flaws in your hypothesis.
Synonyms: recount, recapitulate
- to ascertain the number of; count.
enumerate
/ ɪˈnjuːməˌreɪt /
verb
- tr to mention separately or in order; name one by one; list
- tr to determine the number of; count
- to compile or enter (a name or names) in a voting list for an area
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Derived Forms
- eˈnumerative, adjective
- eˈnumerable, adjective
- eˌnumerˈation, noun
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Other Words From
- e·nu·mer·a·tive [ih-, noo, -m, uh, -rey-tiv, -mer-, uh, -, ih-, nyoo, -], adjective
- e·nu·mer·a·tor noun
- non·e·nu·mer·a·tive adjective
- pre·e·nu·mer·ate verb (used with object) preenumerated preenumerating
- re·e·nu·mer·ate verb (used with object) reenumerated reenumerating
- un·e·nu·mer·a·tive adjective
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Word History and Origins
Origin of enumerate1
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Word History and Origins
Origin of enumerate1
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Example Sentences
We handed him a packet enumerating our observations and ideas.
Her reporting uncovered people who not only hear what trees have to say, but can enumerate essential roles of wooded areas as homes for other plants and animals, including humans.
A legal document his attorneys submitted to the California Supreme Court enumerates various frustrations.
The once-in-a-decade project of enumerating every person in every household in the country inevitably results in some being missed and some being counted more than once.
“Word gets out quickly,” said Larry Cartwright, who compiles the District’s annual Christmas bird count, when birders from all over identify and enumerate as many birds as they can see.
For reasons Lehman may someday wish to enumerate, he and Hitchcock had a falling out.
Mustafa then proceeded to enumerate five factors that he believed are contributing to the prevailing despair.
He called Asali a “visionary” and “trail blazer” and went on to enumerate a list of US politicians who have had dinner with ATFP.
The meeting wound down forlornly, with Obama attempting to enumerate issues that the two sides had in common.
The two passages enumerate the scales in a slightly different manner.
It would be difficult to enumerate the many thoughts suggested by these words; each person has his own idea of wasting time.
Time would fail us to enumerate the various objects and acts of typical service which were all fulfilled in Him.
Because he knows how to enumerate; which indeed he knows if he know the number, and this he can know only if the number exist.
On many accounts your station is critical; I shall enumerate only a few.
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More About Enumerate
What does enumerate mean?
Enumerate means to name or list things one by one.
Enumerate is typically used as a more formal alternative to the verb list. It emphasizes the fact that things are being specifically identified and listed one at a time.
Less commonly, enumerate simply means to count. In Canada, it has a much more specific use: it means to enter names in an area’s voting list.
Example: I welcome constructive criticism, but you don’t have to enumerate every single one of my mistakes in front of the rest of the people at the meeting.
Where does enumerate come from?
The first records of enumerate come from the 1600s. It derives from the Latin verb ēnumerāre, which is based on the Latin numer(us), meaning “number.” (This root is also the basis of the word number.)
Enumerate implies a very deliberate listing of things, especially with the intention of specifying each one in order to emphasize them collectively. A politician might enumerate the ways their opponent failed to deliver on their promises. Your friend might enumerate all the reasons you should date their cousin. In both cases, the intention is for a list of specific things to be more memorable or impactful than a summary. Enumerate is essentially interchangeable with the verb list, but list might not imply the same level of deliberateness. (The phrasal verb list out is closer in meaning.)
Enumerate is also the name of a function in various programming languages and computer programs that involves managing elements in a set.
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What are some other forms related to enumerate?
- enumeration (noun)
- enumerable (adjective)
- enumerative (adjective)
- enumerator (noun)
- nonenumerated (adjective)
- nonenumerative (adjective)
What are some synonyms for enumerate?
What are some words that share a root or word element with enumerate?
What are some words that often get used in discussing enumerate?
What are some words enumerate may be commonly confused with?
How is enumerate used in real life?
Enumerate is a more formal way of saying list that emphasizes the specification of individual things. It’s often used in negative contexts, such as the listing of mistakes or flaws.
The point of documentation is to not enumerate every single feature, it's to help the user find what they need as quickly as possible
— Max Lynch (@maxlynch) December 15, 2016
Reminder, gentle readers, that disliking a book is absolutely your right. So is reviewing that book & saying what you want about it. But tagging an author in negative reviews or emailing them to enumerate all the ways you think their book is crap? Uncool. Plain & simple.
— Ashley Herring Blake (@ashleyhblake) April 2, 2020
An odd feeling to enumerate the ten plagues during the Seder and feel like you're teasing the 11 pm news
— Bill McKibben (@billmckibben) April 8, 2020
Try using enumerate!
Is enumerate used correctly in the following sentence?
In my family, the holidays end up being a time when everyone enumerates each other’s failures.
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