Ascribing

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Ascribe \As*cribe"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Ascribed}; p. pr. &
     vb. n. {Ascribing}.] [L. ascribere, adscribere, to ascribe;
     ad + scribere to write: cf. OF. ascrire. See {Scribe}.]
     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.


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              The finest [speech] that is ascribed to Satan in the
              whole poem.                           --Addison.
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     2. To attribute, as a quality, or an appurtenance; to
        consider or allege to belong.
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     Syn: To {Ascribe}, {Attribute}, {Impute}.
  
     Usage: 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.
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                  More than good-will to me attribute naught.
                                                    --Spenser.
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                  Ascribes his gettings to his parts and merit.
                                                    --Pope.
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                  And fairly quit him of the imputed blame.
                                                    --Spenser.
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