quotation
Definitions
A group of words taken from a text or speech and repeated, usually with credit to the source
引文，引语
A formal statement of how much a job or product will cost
报价（单），估价
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedquot (mark by number → cite) + -ation (act/result) = the act or result of quoting. Like the verb quote, it carries both senses: the cited passage and the stated price. quotation is the formal noun where quote is the everyday one.
Root quot still carries 6 more wordsUsage Guide
- Literary/academic: a direct quotation, a famous quotation — the cited passage
- Business: request a quotation, send a written quotation — the formal price estimate
- 'quotation marks' are the " " symbols; this is the correct formal term.
- quotation (formal) vs quote (informal) mean the same thing; in everyday speech 'quote' is far more common.
Example Sentences
- 1.
The essay opens with a quotation from a Greek philosopher.
- 2.
We asked three firms for a quotation before deciding.