Precise Meaning
/pɹɪˈsaɪs/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjBoth exact and accurate.
adjConsistent, clustered close together, agreeing with each other (this does not mean that they cluster near the true, correct, or accurate value).
Sentence Examples
Above all, logic requires precise definitions.
Above all, scientific terms call for precise definitions.
She gave me clear and precise directions.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The scientist needed a ____ measurement to complete the important experiment in the lab.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The surgeon needed to make a ____ incision of exactly three centimeters to access the affected area.
Word Origin & History
From Middle French précis, from Latin praecīsus, perfect passive participle of praecīdere, from prae- (“before, in front”) + caedere (“cut; strike”), cognate with hit. Related to incise. Doublet of précis.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"A memory is "precise" when the occurrences that would verify it are narrowly circumscribed: for instance, "I met Jones" is precise as compared to "I met a man." A memory is "accurate" when it is both precise and true, i.e. in the above instance, if it was Jones I met."
— 1921, Bertrand Russell, The Analysis of Mind:
"Individually, some of these definitions fall into the common definitional trap of being overly precise."
— 2018, James Lambert, “A multitude of ‘lishes’: The nomenclature of hybridity”, in English World-Wide, page 7:
"This proposal for a new basic regulation is justified because there is a need to precise the objectives of the CFP."
— 2011, Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on the Common Fisheries Policy:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
The scientist needed a ____ measurement to complete the important experiment in the lab.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The surgeon needed to make a ____ incision of exactly three centimeters to access the affected area.