Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Describe \De*scribe"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Described}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Describing}.] [L. describere, descriptum; de- +
   scribere to write: cf. OE. descriven, OF. descrivre, F.
   d['e]crire. See {Scribe}, and cf. {Descry}.]
   1. To represent by drawing; to draw a plan of; to delineate;
      to trace or mark out; as, to describe a circle by the
      compasses; a torch waved about the head in such a way as
      to describe a circle.

   2. To represent by words written or spoken; to give an
      account of; to make known to others by words or signs; as,
      the geographer describes countries and cities.

   3. To distribute into parts, groups, or classes; to mark off;
      to class. [Obs.]

            Passed through the land, and described it by cities
            into seven parts in a book.           --Josh. xviii.
                                                  9.

   Syn: To set forth; represent; delineate; relate; recount;
        narrate; express; explain; depict; portray; chracterize.

Describe \De*scribe"\, v. i.
   To use the faculty of describing; to give a description; as,
   Milton describes with uncommon force and beauty.

Source : WordNet®

describe
     v 1: give a description of; "He drew an elaborate plan of attack"
          [syn: {depict}, {draw}]
     2: to give an account or representation of in words; "Discreet
        Italian police described it in a manner typically
        continental" [syn: {report}, {account}]
     3: identify as in botany or biology, for example [syn: {identify},
         {discover}, {key}, {key out}, {distinguish}, {name}]
     4: make a mark or lines on a surface; "draw a line"; "trace the
        outline of a figure in the sand" [syn: {trace}, {draw}, {line},
         {delineate}]