comments

comments

remarks; observations, annotations, criticisms: There were harsh comments on the performance.

Not to be confused with:

commence – originate, inaugurate, begin, start: commence the show

Abused, Confused, & Misused Words by Mary Embree Copyright © 2007, 2013 by Mary Embree

com·ment

 (kŏm′ĕnt)

n.

1.

a. A written note intended as an explanation, illustration, or criticism of a passage in a book or other writing; an annotation.

b. A series of annotations or explanations.

2.

a. A statement of fact or opinion, especially a remark that expresses a personal reaction or attitude.

b. An implied conclusion or judgment: a novel that is a comment on contemporary lawlessness.

3. Talk; gossip: a divorce that caused much comment.

4. Computers A string of text in a program that does not function in the program itself but is used by the programmer to explain instructions.

5. Linguistics The part of a sentence that provides new information about the topic. Also called rheme.

v. com·ment·ed, com·ment·ing, com·ments

v.intr.

1. To make a comment; remark.

2. To serve as a judgmental commentary: "Her demise comments on [the Upper East Side's] entire way of life" (Mark Muro).

v.tr.

To make comments on; annotate.

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[Middle English, from Late Latin commentum, interpretation, from Latin, contrivance, from neuter past participle of comminīscī, to devise; see men- in Indo-European roots.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.