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note

[noht]
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noun
  1. a brief record of something written down to assist the memory or for future reference.
  2. notes, a record or outline of a speech, statement, testimony, etc., or of one's impressions of something.
  3. an explanatory or critical comment, or a reference to some authority quoted, appended to a passage in a book or the like: a note on the origin of the phrase.
  4. a brief written or printed statement giving particulars or information.
  5. Library Science. additional information about a work, such as its special series or some other significant identification, included on the library catalog entry.
  6. a short, informal letter: a thank-you note.
  7. a formal diplomatic or official communication in writing: a note delivered by the ambassador.
  8. a paper acknowledging a debt and promising payment; promissory note.
  9. a certificate, as of a government or a bank, accepted as money.
  10. eminence, distinction, or reputation: a man of note.
  11. importance or consequence: few events of particular note.
  12. notice, observation, or heed: to take note of warning signs; to be worthy of note.
  13. a characteristic or distinguishing feature: a note of whimsy in the design of the house.
  14. a mark, quality, or indication of something, especially as a submerged but ubiquitous element: There was just a note of bitterness in his films.
  15. a characteristic way of speaking or thinking: His critics had begun to change their note.
  16. a signal, announcement, or intimation: a note of warning in her voice.
  17. Music.
    1. a sign or character used to represent a tone, its position and form indicating the pitch and duration of the tone.
    2. a key, as of a piano.
  18. a tone sounded on a musical instrument.
  19. a musical sound or tone.
  20. a melody, tune, or song.
  21. a sound of musical quality, as one uttered by a bird: attentive to the thrush's note.
  22. any call, cry, or sound of a bird, fowl, etc.
  23. a new or unexpected element in a situation.
  24. a mark or sign, as of punctuation, used in writing or printing.
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verb (used with object), not·ed, not·ing.
  1. to write or mark down briefly; make a memorandum of: to note the places of interest.
  2. to make particular mention of in a writing: She noted their extra efforts in her report.
  3. to annotate.
  4. to observe carefully; give attention or heed to: Note the fine brushwork in this painting.
  5. to take notice of; perceive: We noted his concern at the announcement.
  6. to set down in or furnish with musical notes.
  7. to indicate or designate; signify; denote.
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Idioms
  1. compare notes, to exchange views, ideas, or impressions: The returning tourists were sitting on the sun deck comparing notes.
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Origin of note

1175–1225; (noun) Middle English (< Old French) < Medieval Latin nota sign for musical tone, Latin: mark, sign, lettering; (v.) Middle English noten < Old French noter to mark < Latin notāre, derivative of the noun
Related formsnot·er, nounpre·note, noun, verb (used with object), pre·not·ed, pre·not·ing.sub·note, nounun·der·note, nounun·not·ing, adjective

Synonyms

See more synonyms for note on Thesaurus.com
1. memorandum, minute. 3. commentary, annotation. 9. bill. 10. repute, celebrity, fame, renown, name. 25. register, record. 29. see, spot, remark. 31. mention.

Synonym study

3. See remark.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for notes

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • He notes the following as the usual essential concomitants: 1.

    The Dramatic Values in Plautus

    Wilton Wallace Blancke

  • Only the maid answered the ringing of the telephone, and his notes were seemingly unheeded.

    Within the Law

    Marvin Dana

  • His notes on special words and on the construction of sentences are often very interesting.

    Apu Ollantay

    Anonymous

  • He opened the envelope, and inside it were ten notes for ten pounds each.

    The Foolish Lovers

    St. John G. Ervine

  • Only then she peeped in at the amount, drawing the notes out for the purpose.

    The Secret Agent

    Joseph Conrad

British Dictionary definitions for notes

notes

pl n
  1. short descriptive or summarized jottings taken down for future reference
  2. a record of impressions, reflections, etc, esp as a literary form
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NOTES

abbreviation for
  1. natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery, a surgical technique for operating on internal organs through bodily orifices
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note

noun
  1. a brief summary or record in writing, esp a jotting for future reference
  2. a brief letter, usually of an informal nature
  3. a formal written communication, esp from one government to another
  4. a short written statement giving any kind of information
  5. a critical comment, explanatory statement, or reference in the text of a book, often preceded by a number
  6. short for banknote
  7. a characteristic element or atmospherea note of sarcasm
  8. a distinctive vocal sound, as of a species of bird or animalthe note of the nightingale
  9. any of a series of graphic signs representing a musical sound whose pitch is indicated by position on the stave and whose duration is indicated by the sign's shape
  10. Also called (esp US and Canadian): tone a musical sound of definite fundamental frequency or pitch
  11. a key on a piano, organ, etc
  12. a sound, as from a musical instrument, used as a signal or warningthe note to retreat was sounded
  13. short for promissory note
  14. archaic, or poetic a tune or melody
  15. of note
    1. distinguished or famousan athlete of note
    2. worth noticing or paying attention to; importantnothing of note
  16. strike the right note to behave appropriately
  17. strike a false note to behave inappropriately
  18. take note (often foll by of) to observe carefully; pay close attention (to)
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verb (tr; may take a clause as object)
  1. to notice; perceivehe noted that there was a man in the shadows
  2. to pay close attention to; observethey noted every movement
  3. to make a written note or memorandum ofshe noted the date in her diary
  4. to make particular mention of; remark uponI note that you do not wear shoes
  5. to write down (music, a melody, etc) in notes
  6. to take (an unpaid or dishonoured bill of exchange) to a notary public to re-present the bill and if it is still unaccepted or unpaid to note the circumstances in a registerSee protest (def. 12)
  7. a less common word for annotate
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See also notes
Derived Formsnoteless, adjective

Word Origin

C13: via Old French from Latin nota sign, indication
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for notes

note

n.

c.1300, "a song, music, instrumental music; a musical note," from Latin nota "letter, character, note," originally "a mark, sign, means of recognition," which is perhaps related to notus, past participle of noscere (Old Latin *gnoscere) "to know" (see know). Meaning "notice, attention, reputation" is early 14c. Meaning "brief writing" is from 1540s.

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note

v.

c.1200, "observe, take mental note of, mark carefully," from Old French noter "indicate, designate; take note of, write down," from Latin notare "to mark, to note, to make a note," from nota "mark, sign, note, character, letter" (see note (n.)). Meaning "to set in writing" is from early 14c. Related: Noted; noting.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Idioms and Phrases with notes

note

see bread and butter letter (note); compare notes; make a note of; of note; strike the right note; take note; take notes.

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The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.