semi-quote

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A single quotation mark, ('). This is often used for a quote within a quote, as in "Tom said 'What?'"
  2. A punctuation mark to indicate that the text is a semi-quote, i.e. a close paraphrase that uses some of the author's original words.
  3. A phrase that is a close paraphrase that uses some of the authors original words. For instance: "A fanatic is someone who will not change his mind or the subject of discussion," according to Winston Churchill.
verb
  1. To make a close paraphrase of a quotation, using some of its words.
  2. To modify a quote, adapting it to different circumstances but preserving the intent.

Word forms

semi-quote semi-quotes semiquote semi-quoting semi-quoted

Etymology

From semi- + quote.

This entry uses open data from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA/GFDL). Word forms are used for search and are not indexed as separate pages.