inscription

[in-skrip-shuhn]

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.

7. British.

   1. an issue of securities or stocks.

   2. 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.

inscription

/ ɪnˈskrɪpʃən /

noun

1. something inscribed, esp words carved or engraved on a coin, tomb, etc

2. a signature or brief dedication in a book or on a work of art

3. the act of inscribing

4. philosophy linguistics an element of written language, esp a sentence Compare utterance 1

Other Word Forms

• inscriptional adjective
• inscriptionless adjective
• preinscription noun
• superinscription noun
• inscriptively adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of inscription¹

1350–1400; Middle English inscripcio ( u ) n < Latin inscrīptiōn- (stem of inscrīptiō ), equivalent to inscrīpt ( us ) (past participle of inscrībere to inscribe ) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of inscription¹

C14: from Latin inscriptiō a writing upon, from inscrībere to write upon, from _in- ² + scrībere to write

Example Sentences

Diamonds for sale usually carry inscriptions that record their size and quality, called a GIA number.

From BBC

The gold Day-Date, allegedly given by the actress to Kennedy in 1962 on the occasion of his 45th birthday, featured an inscription that reads, “Jack / With love as always / from / Marilyn.”

From Los Angeles Times

Earlier this month, controversy ensued after Cambodia nominated its Khmer wedding tradition for inscription on Unesco's list of intangible cultural heritage.

From BBC

It can fill in missing words from ancient Roman inscriptions carved on monuments and everyday objects, as well as dating and placing them geographically.

From BBC

He has long enjoyed sitting outside the 17th Century Canongate Kirk, where one of the benches has an inscription to his late mother.

From BBC

Related Words

• caption 
• engraving 
• epitaph 
• lettering 
• signature