ascribe

views updated May 09 2018

as·cribe / əˈskrīb/ • v. [tr.] (ascribe something to) attribute something to (a cause): he ascribed Jane's short temper to her upset stomach. ∎  (usu. be ascribed to) attribute (a text, quotation, or work of art) to a particular person or period: a quotation ascribed to Thomas Cooper. ∎  (usu. be ascribed to) regard (a quality) as belonging to: tough-mindedness is a quality commonly ascribed to top bosses.DERIVATIVES: a·scrib·a·ble adj.

ascribe

views updated May 29 2018

ascribe XV. — L. ascrībere, f. AD- + scrībere write. Preceded by †ascrive (XIV–XVII) — OF. ascriv-, stem of ascrire — L. ascrībere.
So ascription XVI. — L.