inscription definition | Dictionary.com

in⋅scrip⋅tion

[in-skrip-shuh

–noun

1.	something inscribed.

2.	a historical, religious, or other record cut, impressed, painted, or written on stone, brick, metal, or other hard surface.

3.	a brief, usually informal dedication, as of a book or a work of art.

4.	a note, as a dedication, that is written and signed by hand in a book.

5.	the act of inscribing.

6.	Pharmacology. the part of a prescription indicating the drugs and the amounts to be mixed.

British.

a.	an issue of securities or stocks.

b.	a block of shares in a stock, as bought or sold by one person.

8.	Also called legend. Numismatics. the lettering in the field of a coin, medal, etc.

Origin:
1350–1400; ME inscripcio(u)n < L inscrīptiōn- (s. of inscrīptiō), equiv. to inscrīpt(us) (ptp. of inscrībere to inscribe ) + -iōn- -ion

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

Spanish:

inscripción,

German:

die Aufschrift,

Japanese:

銘

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in·scrip·tion (ĭn-skrĭp'shən) Pronunciation Key
n.

The act or an instance of inscribing.
A marking, such as the wording on a coin, medal, monument, or seal, that is inscribed.
A piece of material, such as a stone or metal tablet, that is inscribed.
An enrollment or a registration of names.
1. A short, signed message in a book or on a photograph given as a gift.
2. The usually informal dedication of a book or an artistic work.

[Middle English inscripcioun, statement giving the author or title of a book, from Latin īnscrīptiō, īnscrīptiōn-, from īnscrīptus, past participle of īnscrībere, to inscribe; see inscribe.]

in·scrip'tion·al, in·scrip'tive adj., in·scrip'tive·ly adv.

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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inscription

c.1400, from L. inscriptionem (nom. inscriptio) "a writing upon, inscription," from inscriptus, pp. of inscribere "inscribe, to write on or in anything," from in- "in" + scribere "to write" (see script).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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inscription
noun
1.	letters inscribed (especially words engraved or carved) on something
2.	a short message (as in a book or musical work or on a photograph) dedicating it to someone or something [syn: dedication]
3.	the activity of inscribing (especially carving or engraving) letters or words

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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Inscription

In*scrip"tion\, n. [L. inscriptio, fr. inscribere, inscriptum, to inscribe: cf. F. inscription. See Inscribe.]

1. The act or process of inscribing.

2. That which is inscribed; something written or engraved; especially, a word or words written or engraved on a solid substance for preservation or public inspection; as, inscriptions on monuments, pillars, coins, medals, etc.

3. (Anat.) A line of division or intersection; as, the tendinous inscriptions, or intersections, of a muscle.

4. An address, consignment, or informal dedication, as of a book to a person, as a mark of respect or an invitation of patronage.

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