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n. 1. a. A formal account of the proceedings or transactions of a group: a company's annual report. b. A spoken or written account of an event, usually presented in detail: a news report; reports of children getting food poisoning. 2. A person who is accountable or subordinate to another person within a company or organization: a manager with two reports. 3. reports Law Bound volumes containing the published court opinions in legal cases, intended to provide a reference for precedents in subsequent cases. 4. a. Reputation; repute: We know him only by report. b. Archaic Common talk; rumor or gossip. 5. An explosive noise: the report of a rifle. v. re·port·ed, re·port·ing, re·ports v.tr. 1. a. To make or present an official or formal account of: The study reported a decline in heart disease. The audit reports that the company lost money. b. To write or provide an account or summation of for publication or broadcast: report the news. 2. a. To tell about the presence or occurrence of: A burglar was reported in the area. b. To relate or tell, especially from personal experience: They reported that fallen tree limbs were blocking the road. See Synonyms at describe. 3. To submit or relate the results of considerations concerning: The committee reported the bill. 4. To carry back and repeat to another: reported the rumor of a strike. 5. To complain about or denounce: reported the students to the principal. v.intr. Phrasal Verb: 1. To make a report: Would you please report on what happened? 2. To serve as a reporter for a publication, broadcasting company, or other news media. 3. To present oneself: report for duty. 4. To be accountable or subordinate to someone: She reports directly to the board of directors. report out Idiom: To return after deliberation to a legislative body for action: The committee reported the new tax bill out. on report Subject to disciplinary action. [Middle English, from Old French, from reporter, to report, from Latin reportāre : re-, re- + portāre, to carry; see per-2 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] re·porta·ble adj. |
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