ascribe Meaning, Definition & Usage

As*cribe" transitive verb

Etymology

L. ascribere, adscribere, to ascribe; ad + scribere to write: cf. OF. ascrire. See Scribe.

Wordforms

imperfect & past participle Ascribed present participle & verbal noun Ascribing

Definitions

1. To attribute, impute, or refer, as to a cause; as, his death was ascribed to a poison; to ascribe an effect to the right cause; to ascribe such a book to such an author.

   The finest [speech] that is ascribed to Satan in the whole poem. Addison.

2. To attribute, as a quality, or an appurtenance; to consider or allege to belong. Syn. -- To Ascribe, Attribute, Impute. Attribute denotes, 1. To refer some quality or attribute to a being; as, to attribute power to God. 2. To refer something to its cause or source; as, to attribute a backward spring to icebergs off the coast. Ascribe is used equally in both these senses, but involves a different image. To impute usually denotes to ascribe something doubtful or wrong, and hence, in general literature, has commonly a bad sense; as, to impute unworthy motives. The theological sense of impute is not here taken into view.

   More than good-will to me attribute naught. Spenser.

   Ascribes his gettings to his parts and merit. Pope.

   And fairly quit him of the imputed blame. Spenser.