from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Subscribe \Sub*scribe"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Subscribed}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Subscribing}.] [L. subscribere, subscriptum;
sub under + scribere to write: cf. F. souscrire. See
{Scribe}.]
1. To write underneath, as one's name; to sign (one's name)
to a document.
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[They] subscribed their names under them. --Sir T.
More.
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2. To sign with one's own hand; to give consent to, as
something written, or to bind one's self to the terms of,
by writing one's name beneath; as, parties subscribe a
covenant or contract; a man subscribes a bond.
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All the bishops subscribed the sentence. --Milman.
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3. To attest by writing one's name beneath; as, officers
subscribe their official acts, and secretaries and clerks
subscribe copies or records.
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4. To promise to give, by writing one's name with the amount;
as, each man subscribed ten dollars.
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5. To sign away; to yield; to surrender. [Obs.] --Shak.
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6. To declare over one's signature; to publish. [Obs.]
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Either or must shortly hear from him, or I will
subscribe him a coward. --Shak.
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