inscribe definition | Dictionary.com

in⋅scribe

[in-skrahyb]

–verb (used with object), -scribed, -scrib⋅ing.

1.	to address or dedicate (a book, photograph, etc.) informally to a person, esp. by writing a brief personal note in or on it.

2.	to mark (a surface) with words, characters, etc., esp. 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.

British.

a.	to issue (a loan) in the form of shares with registered stockholders.

b.	to sell (stocks).

c.	to buy (stocks).

Origin:
1545–55; < L inscrībere, equiv. to in- in- ² + scrībere to write; see scribe ¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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Language Translation for : inscribe

Spanish:

inscribir,

German:

beschriften,

Japanese:

記す

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in·scribe (ĭn-skrīb') Pronunciation Key
tr.v. in·scribed, in·scrib·ing, in·scribes

1. To write, print, carve, or engrave (words or letters) on or in a surface.
2. To mark or engrave (a surface) with words or letters.
3. To sign one's name or write a brief message in or on (a gift book or photograph, for example).
4. To dedicate to someone.
To enter (a name) on a list or in a register.
1. To sign one's name or write a brief message in or on (a gift book or photograph, for example).
2. To dedicate to someone.
Mathematics To draw (one figure) within another figure so that every vertex of the enclosed figure touches the outer figure.

[Latin īnscrībere : in-, in, on; see in-² + scrībere, to write; see skrībh- in Indo-European roots.]

in·scrib'er n.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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inscribe
verb
1.	carve, cut, or etch into a material or surface; "engrave a pen"; "engraved the trophy cupt with the winner's"; "the lovers scratched their names into the bark of the tree" [syn: scratch]
2.	register formally as a participant or member; "The party recruited many new members" [syn: enroll]
3.	draw within a figure so as to touch in as many places as possible
4.	write, engrave, or print as a lasting record
5.	mark with one's signature; "The author autographed his book" [syn: autograph]
6.	convert ordinary language into code; "We should encode the message for security reasons" [syn: code]
7.	address, (a work of literature) in a style less formal than a dedication

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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Inscribe

Cir`cum*scribe"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Circumscribed; p. pr. & vb. n. Circumscribing.] [L. circumscribere, -scriptum; circum + scribere to write, draw. See Soribe.]

1. to write or engrave around. [R.]

Thereon is circumscribed this epitaph. --Ashmole.

2. To inclose within a certain limit; to hem in; to surround; to bound; to confine; to restrain.

To circumscribe royal power. --Bancroft.

3. (Geom.) To draw a line around so as to touch at certain points without cutting. See Inscribe, 5.

Syn: To bound; limit; restrict; confine; abridge; restrain; environ; encircle; inclose; encompass.