περιγράφω
Lemma: περιγράφω
Translation: to describe; to depict; to outline; to portray; to characterize (verb)
Etymology: From Ancient Greek περιγράφω, composed of περί (peri-, meaning 'around') + γράφω (grapho, meaning 'to write'). The prefix περί is cognate with English 'peri-' (as in perimeter, periphery) and γράφω shares roots with English 'graph', 'graphic', 'biography'. The literal meaning 'to write around' evolved to mean 'to outline' or 'to describe comprehensively'. This compound structure mirrors English words like 'circumscribe' (Latin equivalent) - both meaning to draw or write around something to define its boundaries or characteristics.
Example Usage
Μπορείς να περιγράψεις τι είδες;
Can you describe what you saw?
Ο συγγραφέας περιγράφει με λεπτομέρεια το τοπίο.
The author describes the landscape in detail.
Δεν μπορώ να περιγράψω πόσο χαρούμενος είμαι.
I cannot describe how happy I am.
Μπορείς να περιγράψεις το άτομο που είδες;
Can you describe the person you saw?
Περιέγραψε την κατάσταση ως επικίνδυνη.
He described the situation as dangerous.
Περιγράφει το τοπίο με λεπτομέρειες.
He describes the landscape in detail.
Μπορείς να περιγράψεις τι έγινε;
Can you describe what happened?
Το βιβλίο περιγράφει τη ζωή στην επαρχία.
The book describes life in the countryside.
Mnemonics
- Think 'peri-graph' - drawing a graph AROUND something to describe it completely
- Remember 'periphery' + 'graphic' = describing the whole picture around something
Synonyms
Example Wordforms
Cultural Context
Commonly used in academic, literary, and everyday contexts when giving detailed accounts or descriptions. Frequently appears in news reports, literature, and formal writing when authors need to paint a picture with words.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: γράφω means simply 'to write' while περιγράφω specifically means 'to describe' or 'write around/about' something in detail
Confused word:
Γράφω μια επιστολή.
I write a letter.
Notes: περιγράφω always implies descriptive content, while γράφω can be any kind of writing
Mnemonic: περιγράφω has the 'περι-' prefix meaning you're writing AROUND a topic to describe it fully, while γράφω is just basic writing