Webster's English Dictionary

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correct

Cross references:
  1. punish                
 
1. cor.rect \k*-'rekt\ \-'rek-t*-b*l\ vt [ME correcten, fr. L correctus, 
   pp. of corrigere, fr. com-] + regere to lead straight - more at RIGHT 1a: 
   to make or set right : AMEND  1b: COUNTERACT, NEUTRALIZE  1c: to alter or 
   adjust so as to bring to some standard or required conditi on 2a: REBUKE, 
   PUNISH  2b: to point out for amendment the errors or faults ofM, AMEND, 
   REFORM, REVISE mean to make right what is wrong. CORRECT implies taking 
   action to remove errors, faults, deviations, defects; RECTIFY implies a 
   more essential changing to make something right, just, or properly 
   controlled or directed; EMEND specifically implies correction of a text or 
   manuscript; REMEDY implies removing or making compensation or reparation 
   for an unfairness, injustice, or imblance; AMEND, REFORM, REVISE imply an 
   improving by making corrective changes, AMEND usu. suggesting slight 
   changes, REFORM implying drastic change, and REVISE suggesting a detailed 
   search for imperfections - cor.rect.able aj SYN syn CORRECT, RECTIFY, 
   EMEND, REMEDY, REDRESS) 
2. correct \k*-'rek-(t)le-\ \-'rek(t)-n*s\ aj [ME, corrected, fr. L 
   correctus, fr. pp. of corrigere] 1: conforming to an approved or 
   conventional standard  2: conforming to or agreeing with fact, logic, or 
   known truth : ACCUR ATE 3: conforming to a set figure (as an established 
   price) M, RIGHT mean conforming to fact, standard, or truth. CORRECT usu. 
   implies freedom from fault or error as judged by some standard; ACCURATE 
   implies fidelity to fact or truth attained by exercise of care; EXACT 
   stresses a very strict agreement with fact, standard, or truth; PRECISE 
   adds to EXACT an emphasis on sharpness of definition or delimitation; NICE 
   stresses great precision and delicacy of adjustment or discrimination; 
   RIGHT is close to CORRECT but has a stronger positive emphasis on 
   conformity to fact or truth rather than mere absence of error or fault - 
   cor.rect.ly av SYN syn CORRECT, ACCURATE, EXACT, PRECISE, NICE