Both Uses
precise
in
A Vampire's Assistant
(Auto-generated)
- "I know precisely what time it is!" he snapped.†
Chpt 7
- This sort of thing was precisely why I had to stay with Mr. Crepsley until I'd learned everything about being a half-vampire.†
Chpt 24 *
Definitions:
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(1)
(precise as in: about noon; 12:03 to be precise) exact (accurate)In the fields of science, engineering, and statistics, precise and accurate are not properly used as synonyms the way they are in general usage.
If you throw darts at a dartboard and keep missing the bullseye, but hit in the same place on the dartboard each time, you would be described as precise, but not accurate.
If you seldom hit the bullseye, but tended to get close each time, you would be described as accurate, but not precise.
Finally, if you hit the bullseye each time, you would be considered both accurate and precise. -
(2)
(precise as in: a precise personality) meticulous (careful about details) -- especially to do things properly
- (3) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)