述 is a bound form (b.f.) that cannot stand alone as an independent word in modern Chinese. It appears as a morpheme in verbs such as 描述 (to describe), 叙述 (to narrate), 讲述 (to tell), and 述说 (to state). Its core meaning is 'to state, relate, or narrate' — you encounter it in formal or written registers. Think of it as the 'tell' or 'state' component that combines with other characters to form full verbs.