Quote Meaning
Quote Definition & Usage
To repeat or cite someone else's words, often to provide evidence or authority.
Examples
- "In her speech, the president quoted the famous philosopher to support her argument."
- "He quoted from a poem by Emily Dickinson during his presentation."
- "The lawyer quoted the defendant's own words in court to prove his case."
- "The article quoted a study conducted by a prominent scientist."
- "As a teacher, she frequently quotes Shakespeare to inspire her students."
A repetition of someone else's words, typically for emphasis, illustration, or support.
Examples
- "The article began with a quote from Martin Luther King Jr. about equality."
- "He put an inspirational quote on the poster to motivate the team."
- "Her speech was full of quotes from famous scientists."
- "He tweeted a quote from his favorite author this morning."
- "The book is filled with quotes that encourage self-reflection."
To provide a price or estimate for a product or service.
Examples
- "The contractor quoted a price for the renovations."
- "She requested a quote from three different suppliers before making her decision."
- "I need to get a quote for the new website design."
- "The plumber quoted an hourly rate for the repairs."
- "They quoted a higher price than expected for the car repair."
Cultural Context
The word 'quote' comes from the Latin 'quotare,' meaning to mark a number or citation. Over time, it evolved in Middle English to mean the act of citing or repeating someone else's words. In modern English, it is used both as a verb and a noun to refer to the act of citing, as well as the cited words themselves. Quotes have long been important in culture, particularly in literature, philosophy, and law, where they serve as evidence or support for ideas.
The Power of Words
Story
The Power of Words
In a small town, nestled between rolling hills, there lived a young writer named Clara. She had always loved reading and collecting quotes that resonated with her. Her room was filled with posters of inspiring words, from poets, philosophers, and leaders, each framed carefully in a corner. One evening, as Clara sat down at her desk, she decided to start her first novel. Her mind wandered, and she recalled a quote from Maya Angelou that always inspired her: 'We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated.' With that thought, she began writing. As she worked, she often paused to reflect on her progress. Each time she faced a challenge, she quoted another line of wisdom to herself, sometimes from an old book she had loved as a child, sometimes from a recent article she'd read. These quotes were more than words; they were like guiding stars in her creative journey. One day, she met an editor at a literary event. After discussing her project, the editor asked for her thoughts on the power of words. Clara smiled and quoted a famous line from Shakespeare, 'The better part of Valour, is Discretion.' The editor, impressed with Clara's use of language, agreed to take a look at her manuscript. Later, Clara submitted her novel, and the editor, while impressed, quoted a part of her manuscript back to her during a meeting: 'Your writing here echoes the ideas of the great American authors. But I need you to quote more sources and make your ideas even stronger.' Clara was taken aback at first, but then she realized that the editor’s suggestion was wise. She revised her manuscript, incorporating more quotes and references, and soon her book was published. The novel became a bestseller, and Clara’s collection of quotes continued to inspire her, as it always had.
