from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Write \Write\, v. t. [imp. {Wrote}; p. p. {Written}; Archaic
imp. & p. p. {Writ}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Writing}.] [OE. writen,
AS. wr[imac]tan; originally, to scratch, to score; akin to
OS. wr[imac]tan to write, to tear, to wound, D. rijten to
tear, to rend, G. reissen, OHG. r[imac]zan, Icel. r[imac]ta
to write, Goth. writs a stroke, dash, letter. Cf. {Race}
tribe, lineage.]
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1. To set down, as legible characters; to form the conveyance
of meaning; to inscribe on any material by a suitable
instrument; as, to write the characters called letters; to
write figures.
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2. To set down for reading; to express in legible or
intelligible characters; to inscribe; as, to write a deed;
to write a bill of divorcement; hence, specifically, to
set down in an epistle; to communicate by letter.
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Last night she enjoined me to write some lines to
one she loves. --Shak.
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I chose to write the thing I durst not speak
To her I loved. --Prior.
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3. Hence, to compose or produce, as an author.
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I purpose to write the history of England from the
accession of King James the Second down to a time
within the memory of men still living. --Macaulay.
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4. To impress durably; to imprint; to engrave; as, truth
written on the heart.
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5. To make known by writing; to record; to prove by one's own
written testimony; -- often used reflexively.
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He who writes himself by his own inscription is like
an ill painter, who, by writing on a shapeless
picture which he hath drawn, is fain to tell
passengers what shape it is, which else no man could
imagine. --Milton.
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{To write to}, to communicate by a written document to.
{Written laws}, laws deriving their force from express
legislative enactment, as contradistinguished from
unwritten, or common, law. See the Note under {Law}, and
{Common law}, under {Common}, a.
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