inscribe

[ in-skrahyb ]

verb (used with object)

, in·scribed, in·scrib·ing.

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 Words From

• 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

It will be inscribed with the words "For A Life Given In Service" and will have the name of the person it commemorates on the reverse.

From BBC

If you weren’t aware that Kesluk comes to the bar often, the metal plaque in the bar in front of his seat that’s inscribed with his name lets you know.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr Jay told the BBC that Saint-Exupéry gave those two typescripts to friends before his disappearance, but the third one "wasn't inscribed or given to someone".

From BBC

In November last year, Mr Gardner's name was inscribed on the wall at Leeds Civic Hall, in recognition of his contribution to the city.

From BBC

He said that the values inscribed on the mace his mother had given the Parliament 25 years ago - wisdom, justice, compassion and integrity - were the "most Scottish of values".

From BBC

Related Words

• carve
• engrave
• etch