Accurate
Pronunciation
- US IPA: /ˈæk.jɚ.ɪt/
Origin
- First attested in the 1610's.
- (exactness) First attested in the 1650's.
- From Latin accÅ«rÄtus ("done with care"), perfect past participle of accÅ«rÅ ("take care of"); from ad- ("to, towards, at") + cÅ«rÅ ("take care"), from cÅ«ra ("care").
- See cure.
Full definition of accurate
Adjective
accurate
- In exact or careful conformity to truth; the result of care or pains; free from failure, error, or defect; exact; as, an accurate calculator; an accurate measure; accurate expression, knowledge, etc.
- Schuster Hepaticae V|xFor more than 90% of the figures (mostly drawn during 1976-1990), either a scale, or the given magnification, will allow the user to derive accurate measurements, even when these are lacking in the diagnosis.
- Deviating only slightly or within acceptable limits.
- (obsolete) Precisely fixed; executed with care; careful.
- BaconThose conceive the celestial bodies have more accurate influences upon these things below.
Usage notes
We speak of a thing as correct with reference to some rule or standard of comparison; as, a correct account, a correct likeness, a man of correct deportment.
We speak of a thing as accurate with reference to the care bestowed upon its execution, and the increased correctness to be expected therefrom; as, an accurate statement, an accurate detail of particulars.
We speak of a thing as exact with reference to that perfected state of a thing in which there is no defect and no redundancy; as, an exact coincidence, the exact truth, an exact likeness.
We speak of a thing as precise when we think of it as strictly conformed to some rule or model, as if cut down thereto; as a precise conformity instructions; precisely right; he was very precise in giving his directions.