cite AC /saɪt/ BrE AmE verb [transitive] formal
[ Word Family: verb : ↑ cite ; noun : ↑ citation ]
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: French ; Origin: citer , from Latin citare 'to cause to move, excite, order to come' ]
1 . to mention something as an example, especially one that supports, proves, or explains an idea or situation:
The judge cited a 1956 Supreme Court ruling in her decision.
cite something as something
Several factors have been cited as the cause of the unrest.
2 . to give the exact words of something that has been written, especially in order to support an opinion or prove an idea SYN quote :
The passage cited above is from a Robert Frost poem.
3 . to order someone to appear before a court of law SYN summon
cite somebody for something
Two managers had been cited for similar infractions.
4 . British English to mention someone by name in a court case:
Sue was cited in the divorce proceedings.
5 . to mention someone because they deserve praise
cite somebody (for something)
Garcia was cited for her work with disabled children.
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THESAURUS
▪ mention to talk or write about something or someone, usually quickly and without saying very much or giving details:
Kate had mentioned his name a few times, but I had not met him before.
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Jack mentioned that you might be looking for a new job.
▪ refer to somebody/something to say something about someone or something in a conversation, speech, or piece of writing:
He had earlier referred to difficulties in gathering evidence.
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It was not clear which case he was referring to.
▪ touch on something to briefly mention a subject during a speech, lesson, piece of writing etc:
This problem has already been touched on in Chapter 4.
▪ bring something up to start to talk about a particular subject during a conversation or meeting:
I didn’t want to bring up the subject of money.
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I knew you’d bring that up!
▪ raise to mention a subject that people should start to discuss or think about. Raise is more formal than bring something up :
He promised to raise the issue with the Prime Minister.
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They raised a number of points.
▪ broach to mention a subject that may be embarrassing or upsetting, or that may cause an argument:
I was reluctant to broach the subject of payment.
▪ cite formal to mention something as an example or proof of something else, or as a reason for something:
Hong Kong is often cited as an example of this kind of economic system.
▪ allude to something formal to mention something in a way that is deliberately not direct:
Many of the ancient Greek poets allude to this myth.