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

Other Word Forms

• inscribable adjective
• inscriber noun
• inscribableness noun
• preinscribe verb (used with object)
• reinscribe verb (used with object)
• superinscribe verb (used with object)
• uninscribed 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

For Eisenson, whose character had a penchant for repeating “chicken butt,” she got him a hat inscribed with the phrase.

From Los Angeles Times

Simpson trial — King moved west to cover it, and stayed — and a slew of sports memorabilia: jerseys, bobbleheads, signed bats and baseballs, including one from Pete Rose, inscribed, “I’m sorry I bet on baseball.”

From Los Angeles Times

AMC has sold merchandise with “The Pledge” inscribed on it and has played into A-Listers’ palpable enthusiasm through its own social media presence.

From Los Angeles Times

The right for anyone to request protection, or asylum, is inscribed in EU and international law and in the constitution of Greece itself.

From BBC

To mark the occasion, he pointed out, his younger brother Mikey was playing a bass guitar inscribed with the Dodgers’ logo.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• carve 
• engrave 
• etch