cite
Definitions
To quote or refer to a source as evidence or justification
引用，引证（来源作为证据）
To officially summon someone to appear in court; to issue an official notice for an offense
传唤（出庭）；开具违规通知
To mention as an example or reason; to commend formally
举出（例子/理由）；正式表彰
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedcite is Latin citāre itself, with no prefix — "to call forth, summon." The courtroom sense (summon a defendant) came first; modern English mostly uses the extended sense: call forth a source to stand as your witness. Whether it's a defendant, a study, or an author, you are summoning something to appear and back you up.
Root cit still carries 10 more wordsUsage Guide
- Academic (most common): cite a source, cite a study — give credit and provide evidence.
- Legal: cite someone = officially summon them; cite a case = refer to a precedent.
- Police/traffic: be cited for an offense = receive an official ticket/notice.
- Praise: be cited for bravery = singled out for honor.
Note the homophones: cite (quote) / site (location) / sight (vision) all sound identical.
Example Sentences
- 1.
The author cited three studies to support her argument.
- 2.
He was cited for speeding on the highway last week.
- 3.
The judge cited him to appear before the court on Monday.
- 4.
She cited the rising costs as the main reason for closing.
Easily Confused
cite vs quote — quote reproduces the exact words (he quoted Shakespeare's line); cite refers to the source for credit/evidence without necessarily repeating the words (he cited Shakespeare). You quote what was said, you cite where it came from.