a short note recognizing a source of information or of a quoted passage
"the student's essay failed to list several important citations"
"the acknowledgments are usually printed at the front of a book"
"the article includes mention of similar clinical cases"
a citation
"The professor asked students to cite their sources using proper academic formatting."
to quote; to repeat, as a passage from a book, or the words of another.
"The student cited several passages from Shakespeare's plays during her presentation."
In plain English: To cite something means to mention it as proof for what you are saying.
"The news anchor cited an official statement to explain the latest policy changes."
Usage: Use cite when you refer readers back to a specific source by mentioning its author and page number rather than just paraphrasing it. This verb is essential for academic writing where evidence must be directly attributed to support an argument.
The word cite comes from the Old French citer, which was borrowed from the Latin citare. Originally meaning to cause movement or excitement by summoning someone, it entered English with that same sense of calling upon a person or authority.