citation

quote, quotation

noun see-tah-SYOHN Rare

Origin: From Latin 'citatio' (a summoning, a calling).

Also means

summons (legal)

Usage Note

citation most commonly means a quoted passage from a text or speech. In legal French it means a court summons (une citation à comparaître). The verb is citer (to cite, to quote). Do not confuse with the English false friend — 'citation' in English academic contexts often means référence bibliographique in French.

Examples

"Il a ouvert son discours par une citation de Voltaire."

Natural Translation

He opened his speech with a quote from Voltaire.

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