inscribe

[ in-skrahyb ]

verb (used with object)

inscribed, inscribing.

1. to address or dedicate (a book, photograph, etc.) informally to a person, especially by writing a brief personal note in or on it.
2. to mark (a surface) with words, characters, etc., especially in a durable or conspicuous way.
3. to write, print, mark, or engrave (words, characters, etc.).
4. to enroll, as on an official list.
5. Geometry. to draw or delineate (one figure) within another figure so that the inner lies entirely within the boundary of the outer, touching it at as many points as possible:

   to inscribe a circle in a square.

6. British.
   1. to issue (a loan) in the form of shares with registered stockholders.
   2. to sell (stocks).
   3. to buy (stocks).

inscribe

/ ɪnˈskraɪb /

verb

1. to make, carve, or engrave (writing, letters, a design, etc) on (a surface such as wood, stone, or paper)
2. to enter (a name) on a list or in a register
3. to sign one's name on (a book, photograph, etc) before presentation to another person
4. to draw (a geometric construction such as a circle, polygon, etc) inside another construction so that the two are in contact but do not intersect Compare circumscribe

Derived Forms

• inˈscribable, adjective
• inˈscriber, noun
• inˈscribableness, noun

Other Word Forms

• in·scriba·ble adjective
• in·scriba·ble·ness noun
• in·scriber noun
• prein·scribe verb (used with object) preinscribed preinscribing
• rein·scribe verb (used with object) reinscribed reinscribing
• super·in·scribe verb (used with object) superinscribed superinscribing
• unin·scribed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of inscribe¹

1545–55; < Latin inscrībere, equivalent to in- in- ² + scrībere to write; scribe ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of inscribe¹

C16: from Latin inscrībere; see inscription

Example Sentences

Even now, inscribed in the corner of the driveway is a note declaring Caselotti as “Snow White” and her real-life best friend Gary Stark as “Prince Charming.”

From Salon

His collection included books and manuscripts, including a first edition copy of Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest, inscribed by the author to his publisher, which fetched £138,600.

From BBC

The saga was supposed to get its most prominent airing yet on Wednesday at Mountain View Cemetery, where two of Owen’s siblings are buried and where a plaque is inscribed with his name and image.

From Los Angeles Times

Some of the graves have metal plates inscribed with a name and date of birth and death – though many do not as Islamic clerics do not encourage ostentation.

From BBC

Scholars have compiled complete, updated databases of all known inscribed artefacts - crucial for decipherment.

From BBC

Related Words

• carve
• engrave
• etch