quote
UK[kwəʊt]US[kwoʊt]
v
To repeat the exact words that someone else has said or written.
v
To state the current price at which something can be bought or sold.
n
A group of words repeated from a text or speech.
n
A price given by a trader for goods or a service.
Etymology
The word "quote" originates from the Medieval Latin verb "quotare," meaning to number or to distinguish chapters by numbers. This verb is derived from the Latin interrogative adjective "quotus," meaning "of what number" or "how many." The conceptual link is that to cite or reference a passage, one often refers to its numbered section or line. Over time, the meaning shifted from the act of numbering references to the act of reproducing the referenced words themselves. The modern financial sense of stating a price extends this idea of specifying a particular number or amount.
Analysis
The modern English word "quote" is a simplex form derived from the Medieval Latin verb "quotare" (to mark with numbers, to number chapters), which itself comes from the Latin "quotus" (how many, of what number). Its functional role is as a complete lexical unit.
Examples
She decided to quote a famous line from Shakespeare in her speech.
Could you please quote me a price for repairing the roof?
The article began with an inspiring quote from the scientist's diary.