enumerate

American  

[ih-noo-muh-reyt, ih-nyoo-] / ɪˈnu məˌreɪt, ɪˈnju- /

verb (used with object)

enumerates, present (3rd person singular) enumerated, past participle, past enumerating present participle

1. 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

2. to ascertain the number of; count.

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enumerate British  

/ ɪˈnjuːməˌreɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to mention separately or in order; name one by one; list

2. (tr) to determine the number of; count

3. to compile or enter (a name or names) in a voting list for an area

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Usage

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.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• enumeration
  noun
• enumerator
  noun
• enumerable
  adjective
• enumerative
  adjective
• nonenumerative
  adjective
• unenumerative
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Participles

• enumerating
  present
• enumerated
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• enumerate
  simple
• enumerates
  simple
• have enumerated
  perfect
• has enumerated
  perfect
• am enumerating
  progressive
• are enumerating
  progressive
• is enumerating
  progressive
• have been enumerating
  perfect progressive
• has been enumerating
  perfect progressive

Past

• enumerated
  simple
• had enumerated
  perfect
• was enumerating
  progressive
• were enumerating
  progressive
• had been enumerating
  perfect progressive

Future

• will enumerate
  simple
• will have enumerated
  perfect
• will be enumerating
  progressive
• will have been enumerating
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of enumerate

First recorded in 1640–50; from Latin ēnumerātus “counted out,” past participle of ēnumerāre “to count out,” from ē- e- ¹ ( def. ) + numer(us) number + -āre, infinitive verb suffix

Explanation

To enumerate is to list or count off one by one. Before you ask for a raise, you'd better be able to enumerate all the reasons why you deserve more money. Tally, total, add up, compute — however you put it, enumerate is basically just another way to say "count." As in, "How do I love thee? Let me enumerate the ways." This verb came about in the 1610’s as a variation on the Latin enumerates, which means “to reckon up or count over.” To quote Paul Valery, the French critic, essayist, and poet, “Science is feasible when the variables are few and can be enumerated; when their combinations are distinct and clear."

Example Sentences

Enumerate the different lines of evidence which you may find indicating their close relationship.Can you find any evidence tending to show that the mind is independent of the body?Color-Mixture.

From The Science of Human Nature A Psychology for Beginners by Pyle, William Henry

Enumerate the five chief results of the wars with the French and the Indians.

From History of the United States by Beard, Charles A. (Charles Austin)

Enumerate some of the early gains in civil liberty for women.

From History of the United States by Beard, Charles A. (Charles Austin)

Enumerate, in the manner following, with substantives, the exceptions to this rule, mentioned in the Eton Grammar.

From The Comic Latin Grammar A new and facetious introduction to the Latin tongue by Leech, John

Enumerate my good qualities one by one; my faults, pass by in tens.

From The Sufistic Quatrains of Omar Khayyam by Khayyam, Omar

Related Words

• calculate
• itemize
• recite
• specify
• spell out
• take account of