Which option best defines the verb denote?

• A. to indicate
• B. to name or symbolize
• C. to mean; to symbolize
• D. to cancel

Answer: (C)

Denote is about signifying or representing something. When a word denotes a concept, it means that the word stands for that concept or conveys its meaning. That’s why the best choice combines “to mean” and “to symbolize”—it captures both the semantic content and the representational role of denote. For example, in mathematics, the symbol π denotes the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter; in road signs, a red octagon denotes “stop.” The option “to indicate” is close but usually emphasizes pointing something out rather than carrying the underlying meaning. “To name or symbolize” adds naming, which isn’t essential to the sense of denote here. “To cancel” is unrelated. So the most accurate definition is to mean; to symbolize.