description

A sketch or account of anything in words; a portraiture or representation in language; an enumeration of the essential qualities of a thing or species.

The act of describing; a delineation by marks or signs.

A set of characteristics by which someone or something can be recognized.

(taxonomy) A scientific documentation of a taxon for the purpose of introducing it to science.

(linguistics) The act or practice of recording and describing actual language usage in a given speech community, as opposed to prescription, i.e. laying down norms of language usage.

(linguistics) A descriptive linguistic survey.