Write v.

Forms: (see below). [OE. wrítan, = OFris. wrîta to score, write (Fris. write to wear by rubbing, etc.), OS. wrîtan to cut, write (MLG. wrîten), OHG. rîȥan to tear, draw (MHG. rîȥen, G. reissen), ON. ríta to score, write (Norw. rita, vrita, Sw. rita to draw); cf. ON. and Icel. rita (wk. v.), to write. The relationship of the stem wrīt- to Du. and LG. forms without w (MDu. and MLG. rîten, etc.) is doubtful.]

  A.  Illustration of Forms.

  1.  Inf. (and Pres. stem). α. 1–2 writan, 2–4 (6 arch.) writen (3 Orm. writenn, wríttenn), 4 wryten, 5 -yn, writon; 4– write (5 wrijte, 9 dial. wroite), 4–6 wryte (5 wreyte, whryte, wryth(e, 9 north. dial. wreyt), 5 wrytt(e, 5–7 wryt, 6 vryt; 5 wrighte, 6–7 wright, 6 Sc. vriht, 5 wrygth, wryȝt(e, 5–6 wryght, 6 wryghte. β. 4–5, Sc. 6 writte, 5–6 Sc., 8 writt, 4, Sc. 5–7 writ, Sc. 5–7 vrit. γ. 5–7, 9 Sc. wret (7 Sc. vret), 6 wrett, wrete, Sc. wreit, ureit, 7–9 wreat (9 vreet, wireete). δ. Sc. 6 wraite, 9 vrait.

  α.  831.  in O. E. Texts, 445. Þis mid episcopus rodetacne [ic] festnie & write. Ibid. (835), 447. Ic abba ʓeroefa cyðe & writan hate hu min willa is.

c. 1100.  O. E. Chron. (MS. F.), an. 40. Matheus … agan his godspell to writen.

13[?].  Cursor M., 648. [None] mai write … þe mikel ioy.

14[?].  Chaucer’s Anel. & Arc., 209 (Harl. MS.). Sheo gane hit wreyte.

c. 1440.  Promp. Parv., 534. Wrytyn, scribo.

1449.  Paston Lett., I. 87. [He prayeth] me to wrythe to ȝow.

a. 1450[?].  trans. Higden, V. 359. Orator … did wryȝte the Actes of thapostles.

1480.  in Cely Papers (Camden), 52. As of any tydynges her y con none wrytt yow as ȝett.

1503.  Dunbar, Thistle & Rose, 23. In my honour sum thing thow go wryt [rhyme delyt].

1589.  Peele, Eglogue, B j b. To writen sike praise.

1616[?].  Sir W. Mure, Misc. Poems, xvi. 3. My barren muse … to wryt forbears.

1673.  in Jrnl. Friends’ Hist. Soc., July (1914), 98. Thou should wright to her.

1864.  Tennyson, North. Farmer, xv. Summun I reckons ’ull ’a to wroite.

  β.  13[?].  Cursor M., 5323. Þe king þan did his lettres writte [rhyme lite]. Ibid., 9898. Fairer … þan … ani clerc mai writ wit inc.

1423.  James I., Kingis Q., clxxxii. Quhat nedis me … To writt all this?

1533.  Gau, Richt Vay, 25. Al the buikis … quhilk … oders cane writ.

a. 1700.  in Cath. Rec. Soc. Publ., IX. 365. To writt her life.

1704.  Atholl, in Seafield’s Lett. (1915), 137. I did myself the honour to writte … last week.

  γ.  1477.  in Makculloch MS. (S.T.S.), 28. Sarffo,… to wret.

1536.  Boorde, in Introd., etc. (1870), 52. To wrett att theyr request.

a. 1547.  in Anglia, XII. 260. Off hur goodnese then wolde I wrete.

1573.  Tyrie in Cath. Tractates (S.T.S.), 11. I haif thocht … to wreit this writting amanges the rest.

1603.  in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. I. 31. The man that teichis me to vret.

1640.  Sir W. Mure, Covnter-Bvff, 52. A schollar … A pasquill did against his Countrey wreat.

1699.  Seafield’s Lett. (1912), 256. I have … litell to wret. Ibid. (1705), (1915), 46. He layes it on me to wreat.

1859.  E. B. Ramsay, Remin., v. (ed. 5), 99. To write…, in old-fashioned Scotch pronunciation … [is] to wireete.

1871.  W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, xlix. Ye’ll jist vreet aff at ance.

1914.  Angus, Shetland Gloss., 158. Wret,… to write; p.t. and pa.p. wret.

  δ.  1564.  Q. Mary, in Reg. Privy Council Scot., XIV. 201. We ar movit … to wrait this present unto you.

1580.  Hay, in Cath. Tractates (S.T.S.), 68. That quhilk Ihone Caluin wraites in the fourt buik.

1866.  Gregor, Banffsh. Gloss., 204. Vrait,… to write.

  b.  3rd pers. sing. 1–4 writ, 3 wryt.

c. 1000.  Ælfric, Hom., II. 2. Mycel yfel deð se ðe leas writ.

c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 21. Þe deofel … writ heo [sc. a sin] in his tables.

1390.  Gower, Conf., III. 245. The Philosophre … Writ and conseileth to a king.

  2.  Pa. t. a. Sing. (latterly also pl.). α. 1–6, 9 north. dial. wrat (3 pl. wratenn, 5 whrat, Sc. vrat, wart), 4, 6 wratte; 2, 4– wrate, 5 wraite, Sc. 5–7 wrait, 5 wrayt(e, 6 wraitt, vrait, 9 dial. wraat, wreat.

  Since c. 1300 chiefly north. and Sc., but also in southern use c. 1540–c. 1620.

743–5.  in Earle, Land Charters (1888), 42. Wilfrið bisceop he hit wrat.

c. 1175.  Cott. Hom., 235. God þas laȝe … wrate his him self.

c. 1200.  [see B. 4 b].

13[?].  Cursor M., 21243. Þe godspel in itali he wratte [Fairf. wrate, rhyme smate]. Ibid. (c. 1375), 1470 (Fairf.). Ennoc … wrate [Gött. wrat] sum bokis wiþ his hande.

c. 1425.  Wyntoun, Cron., VII. 1854. Þis Alexander … Wart [v.r. wrait] til Schir Mathow.

1481.  Cely Papers (Camden), 76. The clawys that ȝe whrat of Laysetter.

1585.  Whitney, Choice Embl. (1586), *4 b. Seneca … wratte lamentable Tragedies.

a. 1586.  Sidney, Arcadia, III. (1922), 25. Upon a roote of the tree … she wrat this couplet.

1620.  T. Peyton, Glasse of Time, I. 5. That sweete Disciple which the Gospell wrate.

1708.  Falconer, in Hearne, Collect. (O.H.S.), II. 130. I wrate once and again.

1824.  [Carr], Craven Gloss., 124. Wraat,… wrote.

1828–.  in Yorks. and Linc. glossaries (wrate).

1894.  Heslop, Northumbld. Gloss., 799. He wrat him a letter.

  β.  3–8 wrot, 5–6 wrotte, wrott; 4 wrote, 5 pl. wroten, 6 wroate (wroght); 4–5 wroot, 6 wroott, wrout(e.

c. 1200.  Trin. Coll. Hom., 17. Elch of hem wrot [= Lamb. Hom., 75 wrat] his uers.

1303.  R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 9281. A fende … wrote alle þat euer þey spake.

13[?].  K. Alis., 4778 (Laud MS.). He … wroot Alle þise wondres.

1377.  Langl., P. Pl., B. XIX. 478. I … wrote [v.rr. wroot, wrouȝte, wroȝt] as me mette.

c. 1420.  Wycliffite Bible, Acts xv. 23. The apostlis … wroten … greting.

1481[?].  Cely Papers (Camden), 202. A letter from you wherin ȝe wrotte for your mone.

1513.  in Ellis, Orig. Lett., Ser. II. I. 212. A letter the Swyssers wroott unto me.

a. 1529.  Skelton, Ware Hauke, 223. I wroute a verse.

c. 1530[?].  in Ellis, Orig. Lett., Ser. III. III. 189. Sythe I last wroght to you.

1557.  in Foxe, A. & M. (1576), 1891/1. Whether thou wrotest it not.

1590.  Tarlton, News Purgat., A 2. Virgill after he wrot his Aeneidos, wrote his Culex.

1709.  Strype, Ann. Ref., I. 246. He wrot to … Cecil to release him.

1748.  Richardson, Clarissa (1768), VI. 299. A Letter … which thou wrotest.

  γ.  5–9 (now dial.) writ (6 Sc. vrit), 5–7 writt, (7 ritt), 6–7 writte; 5 wryt, 6 wrytte.

c. 1400.  Rom. Rose, 6585. There as he writ of these worchynges.

1479.  Cely Papers (Camden), 15. Ȝe wryt to me a clawys in your letter.

1539.  in Ellis, Orig. Lett., Ser. II. II. 152. Yowr Kyng wrytte agaynste Lwtther.

1561.  T. Hoby, trans. Castiglione’s Courtyer, II. (1900), 144. A letter which [she] writt unto her lover.

1600.  W. Watson, Decacordon (1602), 226. They writ to all their brethren.

1648–63.  [see B. 22 b].

1666.  in 11th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. V. 14. I ritt wonce to you.

a. 1699.  Lady Halkett, Autobiog. (Camden), 9. My Lord H. writt to my mother.

a. 1774.  Goldsm., trans. Scarron’s Com. Romance (1775), I. 313. I writ to her, she received my letter.

1788.  Trifler, No. 12. 156. Authors (who writ in the Latin tongue).

1852.  Thackeray, Esmond, II. i. He writ back a letter.

  δ.  5–7 write.

c. 1454.  Pecock, Folewer, 7. Þe book which y write in englisch.

1582.  R. Robinson, trans. Leland’s Assertion, iii. 5. That Iohn which concerning Arthure write the golden historie.

a. 1700.  [see B. 16].

  ε.  Sc. 6–7 wroit (vreit), 7 wreitt, wreat, 6 wrett, 6, 9 wret.

1549.  Compl. Scot., 116. Also he vreit ane lettir.

c. 1560.  [see B. 7 b].

a. 1568.  Henryson’s Sum Practysis, 9 (Bann. MS.). The quhilk … ȝe nocht vnderstude, Bot wrett on as ȝe culd.

a. 1585.  Montgomerie, Flyting (T.), 645. Witness sum vers he wreit [Harl. MS. wreat]. Ibid. (a. 1600), Poems (1910), 240. Sant peter wrett ane vþair quhair.

1652.  in Spalding Club Misc., I. 45. I wreitt lykewayes to my sone in law to assist him.

1914.  [see A. 1 γ].

  b.  Pl. α. 1 writon, 3–5 writen (3 Orm. -enn), 4–5 wryten, 5 writun, wrytyn (9 dial. rit’n); 4 write, 5 whryte, Sc. wryt.

c. 888.  Ælfred, Boeth., xviii. § 3. Eac þa ðe hi ymb writon.

a. 1200.  Vices & Virtues, 27. Ðat ðe ure hali faderes … writen.

1390.  Gower, Conf., III. 85. Yit of that Calistre And Aristotle whylom write To Alisandre, thou schalt wite.

c. 1450.  Capgrave, St. Gilbert, 95. Þei … mor-ouyr wrytyn and sent on-to þe Pope, compleynyng.

14[?].  Wycliffite Bible, Acts xv. 23. The apostlis … wroten [v.rr. wryten, writen, writun] … to hem … greting.

1480.  Cely Papers (Camden), 55. Ȝe whryte to howr father that [etc.].

1887.  S. Chesh. Gloss., 86. Wey rit’n,… Yai rit’n,… Dhai rit’n.

  β.  1 wreotan, -on, 4–5 wreten, wrete.

852.  in Birch, Cartul., II. 58. Her sindan ða naman ðere monna þe þis wreotan & festnedan.

c. 900.  trans. Bæda’s Hist. (1890), 346. Þætte scolfan þa his lareowas at his muðe wreoton.

1340–70.  Alex. & Dind., 24. Þe gentil genosophistiens … To þe emperour alixandre here answerus wreten.

1387.  Trevisa, Higden, V. 147. Athanasius … and oþer bisshoppes … wrete for seventy chapitres.

c. 1440.  Wycliffite Bible, Acts xv. 23 (MS. Bodl. 277). Þe apostlis … wreten bi þe hondis of hem … greetyng.

1449.  Paston Lett., I. 76. Your eronds that ye wrete to me fore.

  c.  Weak forms. 5 wrytted, pl. writide(n.

c. 1420.  Wycliffite Bible, 1 Esdr. iv. 6. Thei writiden accusing aȝens the dwellers. Ibid., 8. [They] writen [v.r. writede] … oon epistil.

1449.  Paston Lett., I. 88. My cosyn Cler wrytted to me that sche spake with Schrowpe.

  3.  Pa. pple. a. α. (a) 1 ʓewriten, 2–3 ȝewriten, 3–5 i-, 4–5 ywriten, 4 ywriton, -ein, 3–4 i-, 5 ywryten, 5–6 -yn. (b) 1–7 writen (1 uuriten, 3 Orm. writenn, 5–6 wirten, 5 -in), 4–5 writene, 4–5, Sc. 6 -in, 5 -yn, -on, -un, 6 Sc. vrityn(e; 4–6 wryten, 4–5 -yn (wyrtyn, 5 Sc. vyrtyn), 5 -un, -on, -ine, Sc. vrytin; 6 wryghten, 6–7 wrighten.

  (a)  c. 880.  in O. E. Texts, 452. Ond sio ðis lond ʓewriten & unbefliten [etc.].

c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 11. [It] wes iwriten inne þa table. Ibid. Nu weren þas þreo laȝe ȝe-writen.

13[?].  K. Alis., 4042 Hit is y-writein.

1362.  Langl., P. Pl., A. I. 174. Wordes i-writen in þe Ewangelye.

c. 1530[?].  in Ellis, Orig. Lett., Ser. III. II. 221. Y wrytyn at Godolphyn.

  (b)  Beowulf, 1688. On ðæm wæs or writen fyrn-ʓewinnes.

a. 1200.  Moral Ode, 224. A boken hit [is] writen þer me mei hit reden.

a. 1400.  in Relig. Lyrics 14th C. (1924), 157. Tyl a lettre of loue me lede, Þat was wyrtyn on a wall.

a. 1447.  in Ellis, Orig. Lett., Ser. I. I. 8. Wrytyn … the xij. day of Marche.

1517.  Lincoln Wills (Linc. Rec. Soc.), V. 75. The last will … wirten the day a bovesaid.

1552.  Office of Augm., Misc. Bk. XLV., No. 147. The daye … aboue wryghten.

1693.  Seafield’s Lett. (1912), 127. This is wryten in my bed. Ibid. (1703), (1915), 8. I have writen to the Earle.

  β.  4–5 iwritten, 5 ywrytten, 6 ywritten; 4– written (5–6 writtyn, 5–6, Sc. 7 -in, 7 writt’n), 4–6 wrytten, 5 wryttyn (whryttyn), 5–6 -yne, 9 Sc. vrutten.

13[?].  Cursor M., 6995. In his time war þe fabu[l]s written.

1387.  Trevisa, Higden, VIII. 41. As it is i-written in his lyf.

c. 1425.  Wyntoun, Chron., II. 225. As in þe Bibil wryttyn [v.r. writtin] is.

1481.  Cely Papers (Camden), 78. I have whryttyn to yow dyvarys lettyrs.

1562.  A. Brooke, Romeus & Jul., 711. Y written haue I red … There is no better way to fishe.

1644.  Milton, Areop. (Arb.), 71. Things not before discourst or writt’n of.

1871.  W. Alexander, Johnny Gibb, xlviii. [How] hisna he vrutten to you?

  γ.  4–5 iwreten, 5 -yn, ywreten; 4–7 wreten, 4–6 -yn, 5–6 -in, 5 -yne, -on, Sc. 6–7 wreittin (6 vreittin), 7 wreaten, 6 wraitten.

1387.  Trevisa, Higden, VII. 79. As þere is wreten in lettres. Ibid., 441. Emerus … had i-wreten and descryved Anselms lyf.

14[?].  Chaucer’s Sec. Nun’s T., 91 (Lansd. MS.). Euery where þis wordes al wiþ golde wreten [Camb. MS. i-wretyn] were.

1476.  in Cely Papers (Camden), 4. That Thomas Kesten hat ywreten unto me.

1534.  Cromwell, in Life & Lett. (1902), I. 385. Wretyn at my house.

1581.  Excheq. Rolls Scotl., XXI. 421. The landis aboune wreittin.

1664.  J. Carstairs, Lett. (1846), 109. I have wreaten ane other lyne to the Lord Chancellor.

1685.  Seafield’s Lett. (1912), 10. I would have wreten to you. Ibid. (1693), 109. [A letter] wreitten to him.

  δ.  5, Sc. 6 wrettyn, 6 wretten (-on, Sc. -in).

1445.  Paston Lett., I. 59. Wrettyn in haste, at Norwich.

a. 1533.  Ld. Berners, Huon, cxvi. 407. Letters … wretten on the pament.

a. 1578.  Lindesay (Pitscottie), Chron. Scot. (S.T.S.), II. 50. This letter … [was] wrettin be thir thrie foirsaid personis in all heist.

  ε.  7 Sc. wraitten.

a. 1614.  J. Melvill, Diary (Wodrow Soc.), 367. I have wraitten a special treatise thairof.

  b.  α. 3–5 i-, ywrite, ywryte; 3–7, Sc. 8 write (7 wright), 4–6 wryte.

c. 1175.  Cott. Hom., 241. Hit is iwrite Nemo [etc.].

c. 1200, etc.  [see YWRIT pa. pple.].

c. 1200.  Moral Ode, 228 (Trin.). A boc hit is write.

13[?].  Chron. R. Glouc. (Rolls), 1901. Ywrite [v.r. wryte] was lo þis.

c. 1420.  Chron. Vilod., cccxvi. Þe sothe as y fynd yn story y wryte.

1480.  Cely Papers (Camden), 43. Wryte at London.

1678.  in 12th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. V. 53. Hee has wright my Lord all perticulars.

1682.  [see B. 15 a].

1705.  Seafield, Lett. (1915), 61. It is write by one I can trust.

  β.  5 i-, ywritte, 5, 6–7 arch. ywrit; 5–6 writte (5 whritte), 5 wrytte, 5–6 wryt, 6– (now dial. or arch.) writ, 6–7 writt.

1422.  Yonge, trans. Secreta Secret., 122. As y fynde writte.

1424.  Stonor Papers (Camden), I. 39. I-wrytte at London.

1457.  Paston Lett., I. 417. Wryt hastly at London.

a. 1542.  Wyatt, in Anglia, XVIII. 273. As it is writt.

1590.  Spenser, F. Q., I. x. 19. Her sacred Booke, with bloud ywrit.

1642.  H. More, Song of Soul, I. III. xxvi. On which … be ywrit These words.

1681.  Penn, in Pennsylv. Hist. Soc. Mem. (1864), I. 210. I have … writt truth.

1859.  Tennyson, Elaine, 1103. The letter … being writ And folded.

  γ.  3–5 iwrete, 4–5 ywrete; 4–6 wrete, 7 Sc. wreat(e, wreitt.

c. 1275.  Lay., 22981. Þat soþe his iwrete.

1303.  R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 2179. Hyt ys seyde þurgh lawe wrete, Þat [etc.].

1426.  Lydg., De Guil. Pilgr., 10008. The word ywrete in sapyence.

a. 1529.  Skelton, Bouge of Court, 438. On that sleue these wordes were wrete.

1662.  J. Carstairs, Lett. (1846), 97. I have wreate a lyne to the Provost in that matter.

1694.  Seafield’s Lett. (1912), 144. The Secretarys are wreitt to anent it.

  δ.  5 ywret; 5 wrette, 5, Sc. 9 wret, 5, 7 wrett.

1423.  in Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., Var. Coll. IV. 83. Y wret at Exeter the day … a bove y sayd.

1460[?].  Paston Lett., I. 539. Wret the v. day of Decembre.

1646.  Hamilton Papers (Camden), 126. The other was wrett yesternight.

1914.  [see A. 1 γ].

  ε.  6–8, 9 dial. or illit. wrote (6 roten), 7 wroate; 6 wrotte, 7 wrott, 7–8 wrot.

1565.  Stapleton, trans. Bede, 12. Such thinges as I haue wrote of the most holy father.

c. 1572.  Gascoigne, Fruites, xcii. When workes of warre are wrotte by such as I.

1637.  J. Taylor (Water P.), Drinke, D j b. So I … Have wroate a hotchpotch.

1693.  Pepys, in Lett. Lit. Men (Camden), 212. As had they been wrott on purpose.

1710.  Prideaux, Orig. Tithes, iii. 154. An exhortatory Epistle wrot to him.

1728.  Chambers, Cycl., s.v. Verse, The Books themselves were wrote [1738 written] all running.

1848.  Dickens, Dombey, xxxiv. Has she wrote to me?

1879–.  in dial. glossaries (Shropsh., Warw., etc.).

  B.  Signification.

  I.  trans. 1. † a. To score, outline or draw the figure of (something); to incise. Obs.

Beowulf, 1688. Hroðgar … hylt sceawode, ealde lafe, on ðæm wæs or writen fyrn-ʓewinnes.

c. 897.  K. Ælfred, Gregory’s Past. C., xxi. 160. Nim sume tiʓlan … & writ on hiere ða burʓ Hierusalem.

c. 1000.  Sax. Leechd., II. 290. Writ þonne þam horse on þam heafde foran cristes mæl.

c. 1225.  Leg. Kath., 190. [She] wrat on hire breoste … þe hali rode taken.

c. 1366.  Chaucer, Rom. Rose, 413. Another thing was don there write That semede lyk an Ipocrite.

a. 1450.  Medit. Life & Passion of Christ, 1350. Loue þat art so mykel of myȝt, Writ in myn herte þat reuful syȝt.

1579.  Spenser, Sheph. Cal., Dec., 136. By myne eie the Crow his clawe dooth wright. Ibid. (1590), F. Q., II. viii. 43. Guyons shield … Whereon the Faery Queenes pourtract was writ.

  b.  To form (letters, symbols, words, etc.) by carving, engraving or incision; to trace in or on a hard or plastic surface, esp. with a sharp instrument; to record in this way.

  In later use not clearly distinguished from sense 2.

a. 1000.  Gnomic Verses, 139. Ræd sceal mon secgan, rune writan.

c. 1000.  Ælfric, Deut. x. 2. Ic write on ðam bredum ða word ðe wæron on ðam ðe ðu ær bræce.

c. 1175, c. 1250.  [see TABLE sb. 2 a].

1377.  Langl., P. Pl., B. XII. 80. Þorw carectus þat cryst wrot þe iewes knewe hemseluen Gultier … Þan þe woman.

c. 1400.  Maundev. (1839), iii. 17. In the Dust and in the Powder … thei wroot Lettres and Figures with hire Fingres.

c. 1450.  Capgrave, St. Augustine, 25. He took a peyre tables, and wroot in þe wax al his desir.

1535.  Coverdale, Deut. xxvii. 3. Thou shalt set vp greate stones,… and wryte vpon them all the wordes of this lawe.

1599.  Hakluyt, Voy., II. I. 117. Men being first inforced to write their actes … in barkes of trees.

1649.  Ogilby, trans. Virg., Bucolicks, V. 13. I’ll try that Song on the green Beech I writ.

1697.  J. Lewis, Mem. Dk. Glocester (1789), 77. He made an Epitaph … to be wrote on a stone.

1728.  Pope, Dunc., III. 325. On Poets’ Tombs see Benson’s titles writ.

1781.  Cowper, Hope, 588. Blush, calumny! and write upon his tomb … Thy deep repentance of thy thousand lies.

1831.  Sir F. Palgrave, Hist. Anglo-Sax., vii. 153. The slips of bamboo upon which the inhabitants … write or scratch their compositions with a bodkin.

1857.  Locker, Lond. Lyrics, 51. It was I wrote her name on the sand.

  fig. and in fig. context.  c. 1175.  Cott. Hom., 235. [Jesus Christ] þe sceolde his aȝen wille … in ure heorte write.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 25586. Suete iesu!… þi pines in vr hertes write.

c. 1400.  26 Pol. Poems, 102. Py countretayle bey wil shewe, þe skore, In helle or in heuene, wreten trewe.

1599, 1622.  [see TABLE sb. 2 c].

a. 1628.  Preston, Effectual Faith (1631), 49. It is the Holy Ghost that must write them in your hearts; wee can but write them in your heads.

1653.  H. More, Antid. Ath., I. ix. 27. When we see writ in our Souls … the Name or rather the Nature and Idea of God.

1877.  Mrs. Oliphant, Makers Flor., i. 2. The names of the older generations are writ in brass on the glowing walls of the Inferno.

  transf.  1588.  Shaks., Titus A., III. i. 170. Which of your hands hath not … rear’d aloft the bloody Battleaxe, Writing destruction on the enemies Castle?

a. 1623.  Fletcher, Love’s Cure, I. i. Useless are all words Till you have writ performance with your swords.

1818.  Byron, Ch. Har., IV. clxxxii. Roll on, thou … dark blue Ocean!… Time writes no wrinkle on thy azure brow.

  c.  fig. To write in the dust, in or on sand, water, the wind, etc., with reference to absence of abiding record. (See WATER sb. 1 f, and cf. SAND sb.² 2 c.)

1513.  More, Edw. V. (1641), 130. For men use to write an evill turne in marble stone, but a good turne in the dust.

1611–3.  [see WATER sb. 1 f].

a. 1634.  Chapman, Revenge for Honour, V. ii. Words writ in waters, have more lasting Essence, then our determinations.

a. 1658.  Lovelace, Poems (1904), 203. But what women say to kind Lovers, we write in rapid streams and wind.

1795.  J. Nott, trans. Catullus, lxvii. II. 113. What … are woman’s vows? Fit to be written but on air, Or on the stream!

1821.  Keats, in Poet. Wks. (1876), p. xxx. Here lies one whose name was writ in water.

1846.  Mrs. Browning, Lett. (1899), I. 433. I may say of Henrietta that her only fault is, her virtues being written in water.

1847.  J. C. Mangan, Poems (1903), 99. Oh! let not your vow Have been written in sand!

  d.  transf. To impress or stamp marks indicating (some condition or quality) on, in, or over a person, etc.

1603.  Shaks., Meas. for M., IV. ii. 162. There is written in your brow Prouost, honesty and constancie.

a. 1653.  H. Binning, Sermon, Wks. (1845), 648. Insobriety is written upon many passages of your behaviour.

1682.  Dryden, Mac Flecknoe, 195. A Tun of Man in thy large Bulk is writ.

1854.  Thackeray, Newcomes, xxv. Cook and housekeeper is written on her round face.

1866.  Lever, Sir B. Fossbrooke, I. 78. One on whom Nature had written gentleman.

a. 1899.  in Westm. Gaz., 30 Dec., 1/2. Duty is written all over him.

  2.  To form or delineate (a letter, symbol, ideogram, etc.) on paper or the like with a pen, pencil, etc.; to trace (significant characters) in this manner.

743–5.  [see A. 2 α].

c. 1000.  Ags. Gosp., Luke xvi. 6. Nim þine feðere … & writ fiftiʓ.

c. 1200.  Ormin, Ded. 104. Þatt he An bocstaff write twiȝȝess.

c. 1250.  Gen. & Ex., 2527. And he ðat ðise lettres wrot, God him helpe weli mot.

c. 1300.  Havelok, 2481. We deme, þat … þare be writen þise leteres: ‘þis is þe swike’ [etc.].

1387.  Trevisa, Higden, VI. 221. He fonde þre R and þre F i-write.

c. 1425.  Crafte Nombrynge, 16. Þat digit þat þou hast y-write.

1521.  Barclay, Introductory, B j. Whan P. is wryten in the ende of a worde in frenche.

1590.  Spenser, F. Q., III. xii. 31. And her before the vile Enchaunter sate, Figuring straunge characters of his art, With liuing bloud he those characters wrate.

1614.  Raleigh, Hist. World, III. 12. It was as easie … to erre in writing two for sixe and twentie, as for three and twentie.

1647.  T. Hill, Paul (1648), 15. Some tell us Jeremiah and Zachary written contractively in the Hebrew are the same.

1735.  Johnson, Lobo’s Abyssinia, Voy., i. 4. Unhappily, the Secretary wrote Zeila for Dancala.

1845.  Kitto’s Cycl. Bibl. Lit. (1849), I. 601. At other times they [sc. hieroglyphics] are phonetic, and written by an alphabet of about 140 letters.

1887.  A. J. Ellis, in Encycl. Brit., XXII. 381. Some system of writing speech-sounds.

  b.  To enter or record (a name) with a pen, etc.; to mention (a person) in this way. Also in fig. context.

c. 1200.  Ormin, 3554. He shall writenn alle þa Þatt cwemmden himm o life Onn eche lifess bokess writt.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 6889. He … wrat þe nam, and sett to sele.

1387.  Trevisa, Higden, VII. 31. Otho … heet take hym þe names i-wrete of hem þat were gilty.

a. 1400.  in Heath, Grocer’s Comp. (1869), 41. Plate, Alle these xxij personis before wretyn.

a. 1450.  Medit. Life & Passion of Christ, 884. To writon vs in bok þat neuere failes.

1472.  in Surtees Misc. (1890), 25. We ordeyn that all vacabondes, bifore writen, kepe gode reule.

1535.  Coverdale, Isaiah iv. 3. Al soch as are written amonge the lyuynge at Ierusalem.

1565.  Cooper, Thesaurus, s.v. Inscribo, They write their owne names in the titles of their bookes.

1623.  Cockeram, II. s.v., To Write his name to a Band.

1714.  Addison, Spect., No. 568, ¶ 3. [He] had written the Names of several Persons … at the side of every Sin … mentioned by that excellent Author.

1772.  R. Fergusson, Braid Claith, i. To hae your name Wrote in the bonny book of fame.

1827.  Keble, Chr. Y., St. Barnabas, v. Never so blest, as when in Jesus’ roll They write some hero-soul.

1885.  ‘Mrs. Alexander,’ At Bay, v. Glynn took her programme and wrote his own name for several waltzes.

  fig.  1594.  Spenser, Amoretti, lxxv. My verse … shall … in the heuens wryte your glorious name.

1860.  Slang Dict. (ed. 2), 248. To write one’s name on a joint, to have the first cut at anything,—leaving sensible traces of one’s presence on it.

  3.  a. To set down in writing; to express or present (words, etc.) in written form; to pen. Also (b) said of the pen, etc. Occas. in fig. context.

  In frequent use from c. 1380.

832.  in O. E. Texts, 446. Ic … mid cristes rodetacne ðis festnie & write.

971.  Blickl. Hom., 133. Se Halʓa Gast dihtode ealle þa þing þe haliʓe men writon.

c. 1000.  Ælfric, Deut. xxxi. 24. Efter ðam ðe Moyses wrat ðisse se bebodu.

a. 1200.  St. Marher., 23. Hire bone wes þet ich hit write on bocfelle.

c. 1275.  Passion of our Lord, 467, in O. E. Misc., 50. Pilates wrot him seolf a writ al on hying.

c. 1290.  Beket, 222, in S. Eng. Leg., I. 113. Þis child … Seruede A borgeys of þe toun, and his a-countes wrot.

1303.  [see A. 2 β].

1362.  Langl., P. Pl., A. I. 174. Þeos beþ wordes i-writen in þe Ewangelye.

c. 1400.  Pety Job, 566, in 26 Pol. Poems, 139. Who may graunte me thys boone, That my wordes wreten were.

1473.  Warkw., Chron. (Camden), 11. He … wrott in alle his lettres … the yere of his regne.

1526.  Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 2. These instruccyons y^t I haue gathered & wryten for you.

1595.  Shaks., John, IV. i. 37. Can you not reade it? Is it not faire writ?

1667.  Milton, P. L., XII. 489. A Comforter … the Law of Faith … upon thir hearts shall write.

1681.  in Jrnl. Friends’ Hist. Soc., July (1912), 136. At leasure it may bee written faire in the Booke.

1751.  Lavington, Enthus. Meth. & Papists, III. (1754), 163. His Hand had wrote what was directly contrary to the Dictates of his malicious Mind.

1788.  Clara Reeve, Exiles, III. 191. I will get these instructions wrote in a proper form.

1825.  J. F. Cooper, L. Lincoln, III. 258. At the close of his long life, he wrote Gen., Bart., and M.P. after his name.

  (b)  1883.  J. G. Petrie, Man. for Type-Writer, 4. Machines … which write capitals and small letters.

1897.  Strand Mag., May, 593/2. No pen can write, no song sing, and no story tell of half their happiness.

  fig.  1605.  Shaks., Lear, V. iii. 35. About it, and write happy when th’hast done.

1637.  Rutherford, Lett. (1671), 134. I painted a providence of my own, and wrote ease for my self and a peaceable ministery.

1888.  Ruskin, Præterita, III. iv. 159. Mozart’s birth wrote the laws of melody for all the world … irrevocably.

  b.  To form by painting or the like; to paint.

a. 1400.  [see A. 3 a α].

1556.  Chron. Gr. Friars (Camden), 54. Alle churches new whytte-lymed, with the commandmenttes wryttyne on the walles.

1561.  in Archaeol. (1770), I. 16. To the peynter for wrighting the scripture.

1714.  Swift, trans. Hor., Sat., II. 92. The lines Writ underneath the Country Signs.

1837.  Whittock, Bk. Trades (1842), 358. Most mere house-painters undertake to paint sign boards … and … write them tolerably well.

1889.  Sutherland, Sign-Writing, i. 1. A man might set out and write a sign in the time.

  † c.  To translate into another language. Obs.

c. 1475.  Babees Bk., 1. This tretys the whiche I thenke to wryte Out of latyn in-to my comvne langage.

  d.  Writ (written) large, penned, recorded or exhibited in large or prominent characters. Chiefly in fig. use.

c. 1645.  Milton, Sonn., On new Forcers of Conscience, 20. New Presbyter is but Old Priest writ Large.

1866.  ‘Geo. Eliot,’ F. Holt, viii. The man was no more than the boy writ large, with an extensive commentary.

1868.  Farrar, Silence & V., iii. (1875), 56. Let us look beyond them, and see it writ large upon the history of nations.

1877.  L. Morris, Epic Hades, II. 117. That my life … Was but a tale Writ large by Zeus.

  e.  Of a manuscript, etc.: To bear or exhibit in writing.

1607.  Shaks., Cor., V. iii. 145. Whose Chronicle thus writ, The man was Noble.

1712.  Addison, Spect., No. 470, ¶ 1. I have … been informed, that such or such Ancient Manuscripts for an et write an ac.

  † f.  To employ in dating. Obs.

1651.  Marius, Adv. Bills of Exchange (1700), 13. At Hamborough and Strasburg … they do write the same stile with us here in England, namely old stile; but in all other parts beyond the Seas … they do generally write new stile.

  g.  To print by means of a typewriter; to typewrite; = TYPE v. 4.

1883.  J. G. Petrie, Man. for Type-Writer, 3. Writing and re-writing familiar words until the fingers run easily.

  4.  To state or relate in writing; to draw up or frame a written statement of (circumstances, events, etc.); to chronicle or make a record of. Also with to, unto (a person), or indirect personal object.

  In very frequent use from c. 1300.

c. 900.  Bæda’s Hist., Pref. (1890), 4. Þæt ic be ðam halʓan fæder Cuðbyrhte wrat oððe on þysse bec oððe on oðre.

a. 1122.  O. E. Chron. (Laud MS.), an. 1086. Fela þinga we maʓon writan þe on ðam ilcan ʓeare ʓewordene wæron.

c. 1175.  [see A. 1 b].

c. 1220.  Bestiary, 695. In boke is ðe turtres lif writen o rime.

1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 6793. As it is of hire iwrite, & of ire holi fame.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 17843. We sal yow write … All þat we herd and sagh.

1303.  R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 8970. Þere … Þey dede to wryte yn boke þys chaunce.

1387, 1423.  [see A. 3 a, γ, 1 β].

1448.  Paston Lett., I. 71. I wrythe to ȝow the very cause why.

1497.  Bp. Alcock, Mons Perfect., C j b/2. Cryst cam into y^e worlde, as it is wryte.

1559.  in T. Wright, Q. Eliz. (1838), I. 17. We woll not write it for gospell that their power is so greate.

1568.  Hacket, trans. Thevet’s New found World, xxvii. 42 b. There resteth nowe to wright that, the which we haue learned.

1643.  Digby, Observ. Relig. Med. (1644), 44. To peruse what I have written at full upon this point.

1671.  J. Webster, Metallogr., i. 12. The Collegium Conimbricense are perswaded that he writ the truth.

a. 1715.  Burnet, Own Time (1766), I. 18. Whose life is so curiously writ by Thomas Hubert.

1794.  J. H. Moore’s Pract. Navig. (ed. 10), 169. Occurrences which are written on the log-board.

1833.  Tennyson, Dream Fair Wom., lx. It is written that my race Hew’d Ammon, hip and thigh.

1865.  Swinburne, Chastelard, II. i. 55. Which alms (Remembering what was writ of Magdalen) I gave not grudging.

  fig. and transf.  a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 388. He … wrot mid his owne blode saluz to his leofmon.

c. 1400.  26 Pol. Poems, xvii. 181. His herte blod wrot oure hele, And Ihesus body, þe parchemyn is.

a. 1586.  Sidney, De Mornay, v. ¶ 9. We haue read in nature that there is but one God, as a thing which we finde written euen in the least creatures.

1606.  Shaks., Ant. & Cl., V. i. 22. That selfe-hand Which writ his Honor in the Acts it did.

a. 1680.  Charnock, Attrib. God (1682), 814. Those Testimonies of it [sc. God’s patience], which were written in showers, and fruitful seasons.

1781.  Cowper, Expost., 311. Is adverse providence, when ponder’d well, So dimly writ, or difficult to spell.

1869.  Freeman, Norm. Conq., III. xiv. 355. The great tale of which it became the theatre is legibly written on its natural features.

  b.  With clause as object, either introduced by that, etc., or directly quoted.

  (a)  835.  [see A. 1 α].

c. 900.  trans. Bæda’s Hist. (1890), 42. Writeð Eutropius þæt Constantinus se casere wære on Breotone acenned. Ibid., 460. Hi on heora sinoðʓewrit onʓeþeoddon, & þus writon betwyh him: Wilfrið [etc.].

c. 1200.  Ormin, (1878), II. 354. Acc hallȝhe weress wrætenn uss,… Þatt [etc.].

a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 42. Leteð writen on one scrowe hwat se ȝe ne kunneð nout.

1390.  Gower, Conf., I. 4. If noman write hou that it stode.

1455.  Paston Lett., I. 348. As ye wrygth they sey now.

1471.  Caxton, Recuyell (Sommer), 397. A table wherin was wreton wyth letters of gold Passe no further [etc.].

1542.  Udall, Erasm. Apoph., 230. Of Pompeius it is writen, that [etc.].

1596.  Dalrymple, trans. Leslie’s Hist. Scot. (S.T.S.), I. 99. Sum wrytes scottis to eit menis flesche.

1686.  Seafield Lett. (1912), 25. They write that … their fleet sailed from the Texel.

1761.  L. Morris, in Cambrian Reg. (1796), I. 368. The bad sign-painter … was obliged to write over his drawings, this is a horse, this is a cock, &c.

1848.  Thackeray, Van. Fair, xxiv. ‘I shall expect you at half-past five,’ Captain Dobbin wrote.

1850.  Tennyson, In Mem., vi. 1. One writes, that ‘Other friends remain.’

  transf.  c. 1386.  Chaucer, Man of Law’s T., 191. Parauenture in thilke large book Which þat men clipe the heuene ywriten was With sterres … That he for loue sholde han his deeth alias!

1616.  T. Scot, Philomythie, K 8. The stiffe-vdder’d Cow [missing] … the merry milke-maide … by chance, wrot on the ground With milk-white letters where shee would be found.

  c.  To convey (tidings, information, etc.) by letter; to send a message) in writing. Freq. with to or unto, or with dative of person; also with how, that, etc., and clause.

  (a)  a. 1400[?].  Morte Arth., 3904. He … wraite vn-to Waynor how the werlde chaungede.

1449.  [see A. 2 c].

1561.  T. Hoby, trans. Castiglione’s Courtyer, II. (1900), 164. He wrott unto the Duke,… he would [etc.].

1596.  Shaks., 1 Hen. IV., IV. i. 31. He writes me here, that [etc.].

1616.  R. Cocks, Diary (Hakl. Soc.), I. 150. They wrot me how the Portingals had 4 gallions.

1685.  Evelyn, Mrs. Godolphin (1847), 92. She writes me … what conflicts she had endur’d.

1763.  Scrofton, Indostan (1770), 77. The Colonel … wrote the Soubah, ‘That … their enemies’ [etc.].

1833.  J. H. Newman, Lett. (1891), I. 434. I had … written to Rose how we had best start agitating.

1875.  B. Meadows, Clin. Observ., 69. [She] writes me that she is very much better.

  (b)  1607.  Shaks., Cor., V. vi. 63. Haue you with heede perused What I haue written to you?

1662.  Stillingfl., Orig. Sacr., I. iv. § 11. Alexander … writ word to his Mother he had found out [etc.].

1676.  Essex, in E. Papers (Camden, 1913), 59. What you say … hath bin writt over hither by divers.

1678.  [see A. 3 b α].

1757.  Mrs. Griffith, Lett. Henry & Frances (1767), I. 179. I beg you will write me word … whether [etc.].

1760–72.  H. Brooke, Fool of Qual. (1792), III. 159. Your brother writ me an account of your fatal falling away.

1843.  Lowe, Fishes Madeira, I. 101. Mr. Yarrell writes me word that [etc.].

1850.  Miss Mulock, Olive, xxv. You will … write me word how it looks.

  d.  To decree, ordain or enjoin in writing. Chiefly fig. (of fate).

1560.  Bible (Genev.), 1 Esdr. vi. 17. King Cyrus wrote that this House shulde be buylt vp.

1675.  Dryden, Aurengz., I. (1676), 14. ’Tis writ in Fate, I can be onely yours.

1842.  Borrow, Bible in Spain, xxxv. ‘It was not so written,’ said Antonio, who … was a fatalist.

1902.  ‘Roma White,’ Backsheesh, xvii. 280. That which is written is written. It is stronger than I. So let it be.

  5.  a. To give a written account or enumeration of; to describe or depict in writing.

c. 1000.  Three O. E. Prose Texts, 2. Ac þa ðing þe me nu in ʓemynd cumað ærest þa ic þe write.

c. 1200.  Vices & Virtues, 19. Ne mai ic þenchen,… ne on boke write, alle ðo pinen of helle.

a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 240. Efter þe urouren þet beoð her iwritene.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 648. Ne writer nan mai write wit inc þe mikel ioy þat þam es lent.

13[?].  [see A. 2 β].

1382.  Wyclif, Ecclus. xlii. 7. The ȝyuen thing…, and the taken, al diskryue, or wryte.

c. 1449.  Pecock, Repr., I. xi. 55 [= Rev. xxii. 18]. Putte God upon him the veniauncis writun in this book.

c. 1600.  Shaks., Sonn., xvii. If I could write the beauty of your eyes.

1608.  Topsell, Serpents, 131. When the Egyptians will write a man eating or at dinner, they paynt a Crocodile gaping.

1636.  E. Dacres, Machiavel’s Disc. Livy, II. 545. Things which they have done, that lived in the manner above written.

  b.  To treat of (a subject, theme, etc.) in writing.

c. 1000.  Ags. Gosp., John i. 45. We ʓemetton ðone hælend … þene wrat moyses & þa witeʓan on ðære æ.

1597.  Morley, Introd. Mus., 152. Those who haue of late daies written the art of musicke.

1711.  Felton, Dissert. Classics (1718), a 4 b. The Difficulties of writing History.

1737.  Pope, trans. Hor., Ep., II. i. 146. Ev’ry flow’ry Courtier writ Romance.

1821.  Byron, Diary, 29 Jan. They talk Dante—write Dante.

  c.  To give expression to (one’s feelings, thoughts, etc.) by means of writing; to express in written form.

a. 1250.  Owl & Night., 1756. Þar he demeþ mony riht dom & diht & wryt [v.r. writ] mony wisdom.

1382.  Wyclif, Job xiii. 26. Thou writist aȝen me bitternessis.

c. 1400.  26 Pol. Poems, xxiv. 146. Lord,… aȝens me þou doest wryte Bitternesse, bote swete is past.

1524.  Q. Margaret, in Green, Lett. (1846), I. 319. I did write my mind plainly to you.

1653.  Walton, Angler, i. 29. God … [allowed] those … to write his holy will in holy writ.

1705.  Seafield, Lett. (1915), 34. I shall write my thoughts with all freedome.

1748.  Richardson, Clarissa (1768), VII. 76. My heart is full, and I can’t help writing my mind.

1798.  Nelson, in A. Duncan, Life (1806), 96. Buonaparte writes his distress for stores.

  6.  To compose and set down on paper (a literary composition, narrative, verse, etc.); to put into or produce in literary form, to bring out (a book or literary work) as an author; to indite.

  In very frequent use from c. 1570.

a. 900[?].  O. E. Chron. (Parker MS.), an. 84. Her Iohannes … wrat þa boc Apocalipsis.

c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 55. For alswa god hit bit, and inne þe godspelle þe he writ.

c. 1200.  Vices & Virtues, 85. Ðis ic habbe iwriten for ðe te frieurien ðanne ðu niede hafst.

c. 1250.  Gen. & Ex., 4124. He [sc. Moses] … wrot an canticle on ðat booc.

a. 1272.  Luue Ron, 210, in O. E. Misc., 99. And yeue him god endynge þat haueþ iwryten þis ilke wryt.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 14399. Vr for-eldres þe bible wrat.

c. 1330, c. 1386.  [see STYLE sb. 13].

1390.  Gower, Conf., Prol. 6. Good is that we also … Do wryte of newe som matiere.

c. 1450.  Myrr. our Ladye, I. v. 18. To him that writeth my songe & my praysynge.

1533.  Gau, Richt Vay, 25. Al the buikis … qvhilk … oders cane writ.

1585.  [see A. 2 α].

a. 1586.  Sidney, Astr. & Stella, Sonn. lviii. In pearcing phrases late The Anatomie of all my woes I wrate.

1608.  Willet, Hexapla Exod., 257. When Moses writte that storie.

1652.  Nicholas Papers (Camden), 311. Pamphlets which … he wrote to persuade those [etc.].

1702.  Addison, Dial. Medals (1727), 50. They writ the whole Poem on purpose to abuse some one.

1781.  Cowper, Lett., 12 July. I have writ Charity, as well as I could.

1819.  Scott, Ivanhoe, xxxii. [If] the monks … take not to writing chronicles.

1895.  Bookman, Oct., 11/2. He is … busy writing the new novel.

  fig. and transf.  c. 1600.  Shaks., Sonn., xciii. The falce hearts history Is writ in moods and frounes and wrinckles strange.

1853.  Bagehot, Lit. Stud. (1879), I. 142. Marmion was ‘written’ while he [sc. Scott] was galloping on horseback.

  b.  With various preps., as against, for or to (or with indirect personal object), of, on, or upon (a subject, person, etc.).

c. 1200.  Ormin, 5810. [They] writenn off þe Laferrd Crist Goddspell o fowwre bokess.

1377.  Langl., P. Pl., B. X. 169. I wrote hir many bokes.

1481.  in W. Blades, Caxton (1882), 231. The polytyque book … whiche that Tullius wrote vpon the disputacons.

c. 1520.  M. Nisbet, N. T. (S.T.S.), I. 17. It was niedful that it [ante the euangel] war writin alsa aganis heretikis.

1585.  Whitney, Choice Emblems (1586), Ep. Ded. *4. His priuate bookes he wratte to Traian, of counsell and gouernement.

1685.  Waller, Div. Poesy, I. 17. Verse so designed, on that high subject wrote.

1714.  Addison, Spect., No. 568, ¶ 3. Some-body had written a Book against the ’Squire.

1794.  Mrs. A. M. Bennett, Ellen, II. 47. Volumes wrote on the subject could not do it away.

1820.  Q. Mus. Mag., II. 68–9. The character of the Count [in the opera] has been obviously written for SIGNOR GARCIA.

1888.  Barrie, When a Man’s Single, xi. 180. Mary Abinger … read them [sc. books] proudly, knowing that they were all written for her.

  c.  To compose and set down (music, a melody, etc.) in notes.

1672.  T. Salmon, Ess. Adv. Music, Contents, Chap. iv. One who can Sing a Treble part, can immediately Sing that which is written for the Base.

1782.  Burney, Hist. Mus., II. 566. Such keys as these pieces are written in.

1837.  Penny Cycl., VIII. 108/1. Airs … written in two parts.

1885.  Dict. Nat. Biog., II. 105. [Arne] wrote new music for Addison’s opera ‘Rosamond.’

  7.  To pen (a document, writing, etc.); to put into proper written form; to draft or draw up. Also in fig. context.

831.  [see A. 1 α].

c. 1000.  Ags. Gosp., John xix. 19. Witodlice pilatus wrat ofer-ʓewrit.

c. 1200, etc.  [see WRIT sb. 1 b, 1 c].

a. 1333.  W. Herebert, in Relig. Lyrics 14th C. (1924), 19. And helpe he wole ich wot, Vor loue þe chartre wrot, þe enke orn of hys wounde.

c. 1400.  Ploughman’s Tale, III. 1367. This writing writeth the pellican.

1455.  Rolls of Parlt., V. 324/1. The said Officers woll write newe distressez ayenst your Commissioners.

1476.  Acta Auditorum (1839), 42/1. Þe hande þat wrate þe said write.

1573.  [see A. 1 γ].

1659.  W. Chamberlayne, Pharon., III. I. 252. Where Loves fair hard hath Valours passport wright.

a. 1703.  Burkitt, On N. T., Mark xv. 37. The inscription wrote by Pilate over our suffering Saviour.

1751.  Smollett, Per. Pic., vii. A lawyer … to write her last will.

1876.  Swinburne, Erechtheus, 517. I had made no question of thine eyes or heart, Nor spared to read the scriptures in them writ, Wert thou my son.

  b.  To pen (a letter, missive, note, etc.); to communicate with a person by (letter, etc.). Freq. const. to, † unto, or till (now Sc. and north. dial.), or with indirect personal object (cf. 22 b).

  Freq. from c. 1450. See also BILLET-DOUX, CHIT sb.⁵, LETTER sb.¹ 4, LOVE-LETTER, NOTE sb.² 16, PISTLE sb. 1.

c. 1000.  Three O. E. Prose Texts, 1. Alexandres epistoles … þone he wrat & sende to aristotile.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 5323. Þe king þan did his lettres writte To somond al.

c. 1374.  Chaucer, Troylus, V. 1293. My rede is þis … Þat hastily a letre thow hire write.

c. 1380.  Sir Ferumb., 1782. Þe lettre þat ys til hym wryte.

c. 1420.  Prose Life Alex., 66. He garte writte anoþer lettre, and sent it to Talyfride.

1513.  [see A. 2 a β].

c. 1560.  A. Scott, Poems (S.T.S.), ix. 17. It is þe hairt to quhome ȝe wret The misseif.

1613.  J. Saris, Voy. Japan (Hakl. Soc.), 94. This daye Mr. Cocks writt me a letter.

1662.  [see A. 3 b γ].

1710.  Steele, Tatler, No. 4, ¶ 2. Another hath just now writ three Lines to Clarissa.

1802.  Marian Moore, Lascelles, II. 126. The young man … writ her a polite note.

1848.  Thackeray, Van. Fair, xlix. I want you … to write a card for Colonel and Mrs. Crawley.

1891.  ‘J. S. Winter,’ Lumley, iv. I’ve got … a dozen letters to write for you.

  fig.  1382.  Wyclif, 2 Cor. iii. 2. Ȝe ben oure pistle, writun in oure hertis.

  c.  To fill in (a cheque, etc.) with writing.

1837.  Dickens, Pickw., liii. Perker wrote a cheque for the whole amount.

  8.  To describe or designate (a person) by writing to be something; to style, call or term in writing; to set down in a particular class. Also transf.

1382.  Wyclif, Jer. xxii. 30. Writ this man a bareyn man. Ibid., 1 Macc. viii. 20. For togidre write vs ȝoure felawis and freendis.

1535.  Coverdale, 1 Macc. x. 65. The kynge … wrote him amonge his chefe frendes.

1565.  Cooper, s.v. Ascribo, Write or adde me also to be of my brothers opinion.

a. 1577.  Sir T. Smith, Commw. Eng. (1640), 61. If one were a Knight, they would write him … Sir John Finch, Knight.

1605.  Shaks., Macb., III. i. 101. Whereby he does receiue Particular addition, from the Bill, That writes them all alike.

1605.  B. Jonson, Volpone, I. i. [That] you will vouchsafe To write me, i’ your family.

1611.  Bible, Jer. xxii. 30. Thus saith the Lord, Write ye this man childlesse.

1633.  G. Herbert, Temple, Church, Vanitie, 6. Heark and beware, lest what you now do measure And write for sweet, prove a most sowre displeasure.

1687.  R. L’Estrange, Answ. to Dissenter, 47. The Author Writes himself a Church-of-England-Man.

  fig.  1654.  R. Whitlock, Ζωοτομια, 186. The Invention or Advance of most Arts write [sic] the despised Scholler Creditor.

1667.  Milton, P. L., IV. 758. Haile wedded Love…. Farr be it, that I should write thee sin or blame.

1820.  Scott, Abbot, i. One whom Heaven had written childless.

1856–9.  Dickens, Novels & Tales, VI. 59 (Fl.), Nature had writ him villain on his face.

  b.  refl. To designate (oneself) by a particular title in documents, letters, etc. Also fig.

1533.  Bellenden, Livy (S.T.S.), II. 81. He … wrate himself consul.

a. 1548.  Hall, Chron., Edw. IV., 193. Duke Reiner … writyng hymself kyng of Naples, Scicile, and Jerusalem.

1570.  B. Googe, Pop. Kingd., I. (1880), 4. Therefore doth he wright Himselfe as heyre apparent to the Empire.

1648.  Milton, Observ. Art. Peace, Wks. 1851, IV. 567. These write themselves the Presbytery of Belfast.

1678.  Black Prince, in Harl. Misc. (1809), III. 151. John, duke of Lancaster … wrote himself king of Castile and Leon.

1771.  Luckombe, Hist. Print., 94. St. Giles’s, Cripplegate,… of which church he wrote himself vicar in 1566.

1818.  Scott, Hrt. Midl., viii. A man of law, Nichil Novit, writing himself procurator before the Sheriff-court.

1857.  Trollope, Barchester T., xx. In due process of time he took his degree, and wrote himself B.A.

1880.  Ruskin, Bible Amiens, i. (1884), 3. Why should … a little Frankish maid [sc. Amiens] write herself the sister of Venice?

  ellipt.  1678.  Godolphin, Repert. Canon. (1681), 13. The Archbishop of Canterbury … writes himself Divina Providentia.

  c.  To write oneself man, etc.: To arrive at man’s (or woman’s) estate; to attain manhood, or a specified age. (Cf. 11 b.)

1660.  Fell, Hammond (1661), 3. He grew the Tutor of those who begun to write themselves men.

1663.  Head, Hic & Ubique, IV. ii. 45. Now since I write my self Man, go thy way.

1823.  Scott, Quentin D., xxiv. Thou wilt be mad with vanity ere thou writest thyself man. Ibid. (1831), Cast. Dang., v. The governor had attained his thirtieth year … and his lieutenant did not yet write himself one-and-twenty.

  d.  refl. To name (oneself) in writing; to sign.

1821.  Scott, Kenilw., ix. This same Demetrius, for so he wrote himself when in foreign parts.

1911.  Barrie, Peter & Wendy, v. 80. James Hook, or as he wrote himself, Jas. Hook.

  e.  To bring or reduce (a person, etc.) to a specified state by writing. Chiefly refl.

1735.  Pope, Prol. Sat., 32. A dire dilemma! either way I’m sped, If foes, they write, if friends, they read me dead.

1736.  Gentl. Mag., VI. 662. The Craftsman hath seen better Days; but he has wrote himself into Contempt.

1751.  Warburton, in Porson’s Tracts (1815), 345, note. That no man was ever written out of reputation, but by himself.

1768.  Sterne, Sent. Journ., Calais. I had wrote myself pretty well out of conceit with the Desobligeant.

1841.  Thackeray, Gt. Hoggarty Diam., xi. You have … written yourself out of five hundred a-year.

1852.  Thorpe, Northern Mythol., III. 15. Another, whose cabbages were constantly stolen from his garden, wrote the thief fast from Saturday night till Sunday.

1871.  Lytton, Coming Race, xvii. If we wrote our fingers to the bone, we could not throw any light [etc.].

  f.  To make (one’s way) by literary work.

1890.  T. F. Tout, Hist. Eng., 111. Addison wrote his way with his Whig pamphlets to a secretaryship of state.

  9.  To spell (a word, name, etc.) in a specified or particular manner in writing.

c. 1200.  Ormin, Ded. 109. Forr he ne maȝȝ nohht elless Onn Ennglissh writtenn rihht te word.

c. 1205.  Lay., 28869. On feole bocken his nome me swa writeð.

1375.  Barbour, Bruce, X. 748. And for this word scho gert vrit swa, Men wend the Franch-men suld it ta.

c. 1620.  A. Hume, Brit. Tongue (1865), 9. And Varro … wrytes domineis and serveis, for dominis and servis.

1659.  Philipott, Kent, 395/2. Blackmanstone, written Bleachmanstone, that is, Man’s bleak Town.

1747.  Johnson, Plan Eng. Dict. Many words written alike are differently pronounced.

1828.  Duppa, Trav. Italy, etc., 8. In this MS. … Virgil is uniformly written Vergil.

1865.  Way, Promp. Parv., p. lxxiii. The word written according to the orthography of the period.

  10.  To carve, grave or trace letters or words on (a hard or plastic surface). Also fig.

c. 1250.  Gen. & Ex., 3613. Oðere tables he broȝte eft writen.

c. 1320.  Sir Tristr., 2040. Bi water he sent adoun Liȝt linden spon. He wrot hem al wiþ roun.

1382.  Wyclif, Exod. xxxi. 18. The Lord ȝaf to Moyses … two stonen tablis of witnessyng, writun with the fyngre of God.

a. 1450.  Medit. Life & Passion of Christ, 883. He wrot his body wiþ harde nailes. Ibid., 1190. Strong was þy pyne þe to wyte His fayre forhed with þornes wryte.

c. 1822.  Beddoes, Poems, Pygmalion, 157. Writing the sand Idly, he paused.

  b.  To cover, fill or mark (a paper, etc.) with writing; to trace significant characters on (a surface, etc.).

a. 1240.  in O. E. Hom., I. 249. Euch an [sc. devil] bereð a gret boc al of sunnen iwriten wið swarte smeale leattres.

1382.  Wyclif, Ezek. ii. 9. A boke…, the which was writen withinforth and withoutforth.

c. 1394.  P. Pl. Crede, 175. Wyde wyndowes y-wrouȝt y-written full þikke, Schynen wiþ schapen scheldes to schewen aboute.

1448.  Anc. Deed, C. 5103, in Catal., VI. 173. A large roll of parchemyn wretyn and lympned with certeyn maters.

1471.  Caxton, Recuyell (Sommer), 5. Aftyr that y had made and wretyn a fyve or six quayers.

1530.  Palsgr., 499/1. Correcte this boke, it is falce written.

1599.  Shaks., Much Ado, II. iii. 138. Till she haue writ a sheet of paper.

1739.  Wks. Learned, I. 103. That the Leaves of these two great Poets were wrote at Random.

1833.  Mrs. Stowe, in Life (1889), 70. The envelope was written in a scrawny, scrawly, gentleman’s hand.

1853.  Rock, Ch. of Fathers (1903), IV. 87. A small strip of vellum written with the following translation.

  11.  a. To employ, or be able to employ, (a particular language) in writing.

c. 1320.  Cast. Love, 24. Ne mowe we alle Latin wite, Ne Ebreu ne Gru þat beþ i-write.

1521.  A. Barclay (title), The Introductory to wryte, and to pronounce Frenche.

1582.  Mulcaster, Elementarie (1925), 59. Such people, as teach childern to read and write English.

1664.  Dryden, Rival Ladies, Ep. Ded. ¶ 4. I have endeavoured to write English, as near [etc.].

1757.  trans. Keysler’s Trav. (ed. 2), IV. 28. He [Charles VI] speaks and writes Latin, Italian, Spanish and French.

1845.  M. Pattison, Ess. (1889), I. 13. The Latin which Gregory writes is … his native tongue.

  b.  To employ (a name, word, etc.) in designating oneself; esp. † to write man, = 8 c.

  (a)  1591.  Shaks., 1 Hen. VI., IV. vii. 74. The Turke, that two and fifty kingdoms hath, Writes not so tedious a Stile as this. Ibid. (1599), Much Ado, V. i. 37. How euer they haue writ the stile of gods.

  (b)  1597.  Shaks., 2 Hen. IV., I. ii. 30. As if he had writ man euer since his father was a Batchellour.

1601, etc.  [see MAN sb.¹ 4 c].

1616.  B. Jonson, Underw., Celebr. Charis, I. 3. Though I now write fifty years, I have had, and have my peers.

1672.  M. Locke, Obs. on Ess. Adv. Mus., 2. When I began to write Man, and had convers’d in the world.

a. 1766.  in Fordyce, Serm. Yng. Wom. (ed. 3), I. 38. All mankind is the pupil … of female institution: the daughters till they write women.

1781.  C. Johnston, Hist. J. Juniper, II. 219. Just as I had written man; or … was of age.

1829.  Scott, Anne of G., xiv. The elder, well-sized, and dark-visaged, may write fifty and five years.

  c.  To employ (a particular literary style) in written compositions.

1772.  R. Fergusson, To Mr. R. Fergusson, ii. You write sic easy stile and plain,… Nae suth’ron lown dare you disdain.

  12.  To execute (a particular style of handwriting).

1390–.  [see HAND sb. 16].

1593.  Shaks., 2 Hen. VI., IV. ii. 100. Nay, he can … write Court hand.

1631.  Lenton, Charac., C 9. Hee writes a faire hand.

1702.  Lond. Gaz., No. 3865/4. Writing a tolerable Clerk’s-Hand.

1716.  [see ROMAN a.¹ 5 b].

1738.  Swift, Pol. Conversation, 28. Whoe’er writ it, writes a Hand like a Foot.

1766.  [see ROUND HAND 1].

1851.  H. Mayhew, Lond. Labour, I. 313/1. He writes a good hand.

1865.  Le Fanu, Guy Dev., II. 73. What a hand he writes!

  II.  With advs. 13. Write down. a. To put or set down in writing; to commit to, describe or record in, written form; to note or jot down.

1588.  Shaks., Titus A., II. iv. 3. Write downe thy mind, bewray thy meaning so. Ibid. (1611), Wint. T., IV. iv. 571. Things knowne betwixt vs three, Ile write you downe.

1682.  Rec. Scott. Cloth Manuf. New Mills (S. H. S.), 40. He gives out wool to scrubleing and writes itt down.

1711.  Steele, Spect., No. 155, ¶ 2. I will … write down all they say to me.

1751.  R. Paltock, P. Wilkins, I. p. xi. For the Purpose of writing down his Life from his own Mouth.

1853.  Dickens, Bleak Ho., xvii. I write down these opinions, not because I believe that [etc.].

1891.  W. Briggs & Bryan, Geometry, 143. This enables us to write down at once the equation.

  b.  With complement. Also fig., and refl.

1599.  Shaks., Much Ado, IV. ii. 78. O that hee were heere to write mee downe an asse! Ibid. (1602), Ham., I. ii. 222. We did thinke it writ downe in our duty To let you know of it.

1854.  Lever, Dodd Family Abroad, xvi. 138. It’s like writing yourself down Goth at once to oppose these.

1856.  Mrs. Gore, Life’s Lessons, III. 70. Why does not E. H. write himself down M.P. in the new House?

  c.  To overcome or suppress, to disparage or depreciate, by writing; to condemn or decry in writing; to write in disparagement of.

1726.  Swift, Lett. to Mrs. Howard, 17 Nov. However, one thing I was pleased with, that after you had writ [me] down you repented, and writ me up again.

1773.  Johnson, in Boswell, Hebrides, 1st Oct. It was said to old Bentley, upon the attacks against him, ‘Why, they’ll write you down.’ ‘No, sir,… no man was ever written down but by himself.’

1798.  Monthly Mag., Jan., 49. [Wilkes] actually wrote down at least one administration.

1850.  H. Walter, Tindale’s Answ. More, Introd. Notice 2. This effort to write down Tyndale and his labours.

1851.  [see 18 e].

1902.  A. Machen, in Among my Books, 103. That his only object is to write down those tedious romances of chivalry.

  absol.  1877.  Stubbs, Med. & Mod. Hist., v. (1886), 110. It seems … that no man’s zeal is roused to write unless it is moved by the desire to write down.

  d.  refl. To diminish or destroy one’s literary reputation by inferior writing.

1716.  Addison, Free-holder, No. 40, ¶ 3. There is not a more melancholy object in the learned world, than a man who has written himself down.

1773.  [see prec.].

1809.  Malkin, Gil Blas, II. vii. ¶ 4. He has written himself down at a terrible rate by his last publication.

  e.  To reduce (an account, total, assets, etc.) to a lower amount in writing.

1894.  Westm. Gaz., 27 June, 6/1. That this, as well as all other similar accounts, should be steadily written down, and finally out of the balance-sheet. Ibid. (1897), 8 Sept., 6/1. The assets have been written down in a drastic manner.

  14.  Write in. To insert (a fact, statement, etc.) in writing; † to inscribe.

1382.  Wyclif, Rev. xxi. 12. It hadde a wal … and in the ȝatis of it twelue aungels, and names writun in.

c. 1425.  Wyntoun, Cron., II. xi. 1060. Oþir fenȝheide fabillis sere I wil forber to wryt in heyre.

1463.  Bury Wills (Camden), 42. A book of papyr to wryte in expensis.

1863.  Miss Braddon, Eleanor’s Vict., I. 108. All the great scenes have been written in by him.

1895.  Crockett, Men of Moss-Hags, liv. 390. It was a moment’s work to write in the other name [on a pardon].

1903.  Athenæum, 3 Jan., 10/2. The date is written in by the rubricator.

  15.  Write off, a. To note the deduction of (money) in an account or financial statement; now spec. to record the cancelling of (a sum, as a bad debt, depreciated stock, etc.).

1682.  Scarlett, Exchanges, 107. To send the accepted and endorsed Bill to the House of the Acceptant, and desire him to order that the Value be write of in Bank.

1752.  Beawes, Lex Merc. Rediv., 363. Write off from my Bank Book, one hundred and fifty-seven Pounds.

1819.  Mortimer’s Commerc. Dict. (ed. 2), 87. One of the clerks … writes off the sum required.

1891.  Law Times, XC. 283/2. The company wrote off the loss as a bad debt.

  fig.  1889.  Spectator, 21 Sept. China and India being written off as full of people.

  b.  To compose (a letter, etc.) with facility or expedition.

1848.  Thackeray, Van. Fair, lxvii. She wrote off a letter to a friend. Ibid. (1862), Philip, xxviii. Philip was writing off … one of his grand tirades.

1872.  [see A. 1 γ].

  16.  Write out. a. To make a (fair or perfect) transcription or written copy of (something, a rough draft, etc.); to copy out; also, to transcribe in full or detail, as from brief notes or shorthand.

  To write out fair, to make a fair copy of.

1548.  Elyot, s.v. Describo, To write out a boke by an other mans copie.

1565.  Cooper, Exscribere alicui, to write out the copie of a thyng to one.

1611.  Cotgr., s.vv. Copier, Transcrit.

a. 1700.  in Cath. Rec. Soc. Publ., IX. 336. His Bookes, w[hi]ch she write out and faithfully practised.

1776.  Trial of Nundocomar, 41/1. The writer wrote out a Persian bond.

1809.  Malkin, Gil Blas, VII. xii. ¶ 5. I … offered to write his memorials out fair.

1877.  Smith & Wace’s Dict. Chr. Biog., I. 208. Atticus … wrote out his sermons and learnt them by heart.

  b.  refl. To exhaust one’s resources or stock of ideas by excessive writing; = OUTWRITE v. 3.

1832.  Scott, St. Ronan’s, Introd. The Author had exhausted himself, or, as the technical phrase expresses it, written himself out.

1905.  Author, 1 Feb., 152. He has written himself out.

  17.  Write over, a. To write (something) anew or again; to rewrite; = OVERWRITE v. 3, RESCRIBE v. 2.

1588.  Shaks., L. L. L., I. ii. 120. I will haue that subiect newly writ ore. Ibid. (1594), Rich. III., III. vi. 5. Here is the Indictment…; Eleuen houres I haue spent to write it ouer.

a. 1645.  Ld. Napier, Mem. (1793), 51. They might gaine some tyme in wreating them [sc. articles of accusation] over to consult vpon the mater.

1711.  R. Martin, in E. H. Burton, Life Challoner (1909), I. 32. They spent … two dayes in … writeing over fair all ye answers.

1751.  Chatham, Lett. Nephew, i. 1. I am extremely pleased with your translation now it is writ over fair.

  b.  To cover the whole or remaining surface of (a book, etc.) with writing; = OVERWRITE v. 1 b.

1828.  Duppa, Trav. Italy, etc., 9. I saw MSS. of some of the Codes … written over with monkish commentaries.

  18.  Write up. a. To put in writing a full account, statement or record of (something); to give an elaborate description of, describe fully; to pen or write in full or detail.

c. 1425.  Wyntoun, Cron., IX. ix. 117 (Royal MS.). I wyll noucht wryt wp all That I hawe sene in my tyme fall.

1535.  Coverdale, Esther xii. 4. Mardocheus wrote vp the same matter.

1592.  Timme, Ten Eng. Lepers, G 3 b. The Divell that playeth host in this worlde … writeth up all in his booke.

1860.  Cornh. Mag., II. 750. You will be waited for … by a few of the discontented, and asked to ‘write up’ certain parts, without any reference to your story.

1887.  J. Hawthorne, Tragic Myst., ii. After interviewing the sentry … they departed to write up the tragedy.

  † b.  To enter (a person, his name) in a roll, list, etc.; to enroll; = INSCRIBE v. 1 b. Obs.

c. 1500.  Priests of Peebles, 277. Thai wryt wp leile and falss,… And dytis þaim vnder a perdoun.

1535.  Coverdale, 1 Macc. x. 36. There shall xxx. M. also of the Iewes be written vp in the kynges hoost.

1539.  Bible (Great), Ps. lxxxvii. 6. The Lorde shall rehearse it, whan he wryteth vp the people.

1666.  P. Gordon, Diary (Spald. Club), 72. Haveing told where wee were to lodge, they … sent a writer to write up our names.

  c.  To form, trace or place (something) in writing in an elevated position.

1535.  Coverdale, Dan. v. 25. This is the scripture, that is written vp.

1593.  Shaks., 3 Hen. VI., I. i. 169. I will…, ouer the Chayre of State,… Write vp his Title.

1837.  Dickens, Pickw., xxxv. Not content vith writin’ up ‘Pickwick’ [on the coach-door]. Ibid., lii. I call it a dispensary, and it’s alvays writ up so.

  d.  To raise or elevate by writing.

1751.  Warburton, Pope’s Wks., III. 68. Writers … writing themselves up into the same delusion with their Readers.

  e.  To commend (something) to notice or favor by appreciative writing; to laud by way of advertisement.

1824.  Blackw. Mag., XVI. 165. She was never written up, to use the modern technical expression, in the Reviews.

1851.  De Quincey, Wks. (1863), XII. 21. Byron … wished to write up Pope by way of writing down others.

1893.  Q. [Quiller-Couch], Delect. Duchy, 7. I’ll go in presently and write up this place.

  f.  To bring (a journal, report, etc.) up to date, or to the latest event, fact or transaction; to complete (some record) in writing.

1839.  Longf., Hyperion, III. v. He … writes up the journal neglected for a week or two.

1848.  Hannay, Biscuits & Grog, 91. Now that we are at sea, have little to do, suppose we write up our logs?

1900–1.  Proc. Univ. Durh. Phil. Soc., II. 3. Even the minutes of the Curators cease to be written up.

  III.  intr. 19. To inscribe letters in, on, or upon a hard or plastic surface by scoring, tracing, engraving, etc. Also transf. and in fig. context.

  Differing from next chiefly in the specification of the material written on.

c. 1000.  Ags. Gosp., John viii. 6. Se hælend abeah nyþer & wrat mid his fingre on þære eorþan.

c. 1000.  Ælfric, Hom., II. 434. Swilce anes mannes hand writende on ðære healle waʓe.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 13729. He stuped dun, and wit his hand He wrat a quil in to þe sand.

1362.  Langl., P. Pl., A. III. 62. I lere ȝou,… such writynge ȝe leue, To writen in Wyndouwes of ȝoure wel dedes.

1382, 1387.  [see TABLE sb. 2 b].

a. 1450.  Medit. Life & Passion of Christ, 842. On þi forhed so whit so snow Thow writest with a thorny bow.

c. 1450.  Holland, Houlate, 206. He couth wryte … With his neb for mistar, Apon the se sand.

1513.  Douglas, Æneid, I. vii. 111. The speir ourturnit in the dust did write.

1535.  Coverdale, Ezek. xxxvii. 16. Take a sticke and wryte vpon it.

1585, 1621.  [see STYLE sb. 1].

1674.  C. F., Wit at Venture, 85. They write in sand when they make oaths.

1706.  Stevens, Sp. Dict., I. s.v. Escrivir, To write on the Sand, or Water, is to do things to no purpose, as that Writing is immediatly effac’d.

1797.  Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3), XVIII. 917/2. The Chinese … wrote or engraved with an iron tool upon thin boards or on bamboo.

1818.  [S. Weston], La Scava, 31. A great quantity of styles to write with on wax-tablets.

1878.  [see STYLE sb. 5].

  fig.  a. 1400.  Relig. Lyrics 14th C. (1924), 114. Þogh my hert be hard as stone, Ȝit maist þou gostly write þer-on.

a. 1653.  [see WRITING vbl. sb. 7 b].

  20.  To engage in, perform the action of, writing (esp. with pen and ink); to produce (a specified kind of) writing.

  To write and read: see READ v. 15 b.

c. 825.  Vesp. Psalter, xliv. 2. Hreod writ[eres] hreðlice writendes.

a. 1225.  Juliana, 79. He þat her least on wrat swa as he cuðe.

a. 1300.  E. E. Psalter xliv. 2. Mi tunge rede-pipe maister-writer, Of swiftlike writande be þer.

1382.  Wyclif, Isaiah viii. 1. Tac to thee a gret boc, and writ in it with the poyntel of a man.

a. 1400[?].  R. Gloucester’s Chron. (Rolls), II. 828. He bad & wrot & radde & huld godes seruise.

1500–20.  Dunbar, Poems, xxxiii. 12. He cowth wryte and reid.

c. 1524.  R. Croke, in Ellis, Orig. Lett., Ser. III. I. 336. Provided … that no man may force hymn [sc. a pupil] to wryte oonles I be there presente, to dyrecte … his said hande and stile.

1590.  P. Bales, Writing Schoolemaster (title-p.), The Arte of Brachygraphie: that is, to write as fast as a man speaketh treatably.

1623.  Cockeram, II. To Write after a strange manner, in so much as no man can reade it, decipher.

1661.  Boyle, Style of Script. (1675), 159. We think they write backwards, and they, that we do.

1738.  Pope, Epil. Sat., ii. 186. Chartres scarce could write or read.

1775.  C. Johnston, Pilgrim, 73. Any one … may write away, without restraint,… whether they can even so much as spell.

1828.  Scott, F. M. Perth, xxx. ‘Do thou write.’ ‘Your Royal Highness forgets,’ said Ramorny, pointing to his mutilated arm.

1864.  Burton, Scot Abr., I. iii. 148. A fat philosopher sitting writing … with a goose quill.

1874.  Symonds, Sk. Italy & Greece, 18. Then would they [i.e., the monks] read or write, what long melodious hours!

  transf.  1482.  Monk of Evesham (Arb.), 54. The crystyn pepulle wolde wryte dayly … aboute the placys of her herte wyth her fyngur.

1859.  FitzGerald, Omar, li. The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ, Moves on.

  b.  Said of the writing-pen.

1588.  Shaks., L. L. L., I. ii. 191. Deuise Wit, write Pen, for I am for whole volumes in folio.

1733.  Pope, Hor. Sat., II. i. 98. Whether the … whiten’d wall provoke the skew’r to write.

1742.  Gray, Lett. (1900), I. 112. My having at last found a Pen that writes.

1786.  S. Taylor, Shorthand Writing, 98. A steel or a silver one [sc. pen] that will write fine.

  c.  To depict on glass, etc.; to paint.

1854.  Sutherland, Sign Writer’s Assistant, 24. To write, gild and ornament on glass. Ibid. (1889), Sign Writing, viii. 10/1. Writing upon the glass.

  d.  To print by means of a typewriting machine or the like; to typewrite.

1875.  Knight, Dict. Mech., 2677/1. Johnston’s apparatus for the blind is to enable them to write by pressure upon letters in the required order.

1883.  J. G. Petrie, Man. for Type-Writer, 3. The learner must be content to write slowly and deliberately at the commencement.

  21.  To perform the action of composing and putting on paper; to practise literary composition; to engage in authorship or literary work.

  In very frequent use from c. 1600.

a. 1122.  O. E. Chron. (Laud MS.), an. 963. Ic write & feostniʓe mid Cristes rodetacne.

c. 1205.  Lay., 41. Þa makede a Frenchis clerc Wace wes ihoten, Þe wel couþe writen.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 17846. Sundri þai þam fra oþer saite, And aiþer be himseluen wrate.

1387.  [see A. 2 b β].

14[?].  Wheatley MS. (1921), i. 59. If I write al my lyue I schuld neuer here woo dyscryue.

c. 1445.  Pecock, Donet, 6. It is honest ynouȝ a man to speke and write aftir oon of þo opyniouns.

1526.  Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 1 b. Therupon I begon after my poore maner to wryte in latyn.

1575.  Gascoigne, Glasse Govt., III. ii. To conceive that he spake or wrot like olde Duns or Scotus.

1609.  Bible (Douay), Ecclus. xxxviii. comm., S. Paul not only preached, but also writte.

1689.  Prior, Ep. Fleetw. Shephard, 38. He writes well, who writes with Ease.

1749.  Smollett, Regicide, Pref. A gentleman who had wrote for the stage.

1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., iii. I. 332. Halifax…, from whom Dryden was not ashamed to own that he had learned to write.

1890.  H. Friend, in Science-Gossip, XXVI. 177/1. I am not writing in the dark, for before me I see specimens dead and specimens alive, [etc.].

  fig.  1649.  Lovelace, Poems (1904), 62. He fights now with her Penne, And she writes with his Sword.

  b.  With preps., as about, † be, † o, of (= on), on, upon, † ymb (a matter, subject, etc.); or against, † contrary, to (a person, etc.).

  In very frequent use from c. 1390.

c. 888.  Ælfred, Boeth., xviii. § 3. Swa some swa þa writeras dydon, & eac þa ðe hi ymb writon.

971.  Blickl. Hom., 161. Se halʓa godspellere swa be him wrat.

a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 410. Ȝe habbeð of þeos blissen i-writen on oðer stude.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 21324. Matheu … o crist manhedes wratte.

1390.  Gower, Conf., II. 90. Thilke time at Rome also Was Tullius with Cithero, That writen upon Rethorike. Ibid., 91. Among the whiche in Poesie To the lovers Ovide wrot.

1448–9.  Metham, Amoryus & Cleopes, 524. Qwere he off constellacionnys doth wryght.

1500–20.  Dunbar, Poems, lxxxiv. 22. Sen thir clarkis hes writtin in thair stylis To ȝoungar folk.

1565.  Cooper, s.v. Rescribo, To write contrarie or agaynst olde orations.

1644.  [see A. 3 a β].

1698.  Floyer, Asthma (1717), p. i. All the Moderns that have Writ on that Subject.

1737.  Gentl. Mag., VII. 499/2. Had they wrote only against the Ministry, we could have borne it.

1742.  Pope, Dunc., IV. 252. For thee we … explain a thing till all men doubt it, And write about it, Goddess, and about it.

1819.  S. Rogers, Human Life, Poems (1856), 138. Once in thy mirth thou bad’st me write on thee.

1883.  Tylor, in Encycl. Brit., XV. 199/1. Cicero writes of them as wise men, augurs, and diviners.

  c.  With various qualifications.

c. 1600.  Shaks., Sonn., lxxxvi. By spirits taught to write, Aboue a mortall pitch.

1672.  Marvell, Reh. Transp., I. 114. The fault is most his own who should have writ to the capacity of vulgar Readers.

1692.  Dryden, St. Euremont’s Ess., Pref. iii. His subjects are often Great and Noble, and then he never fails to write up to them.

1711.  Felton, Dissert. Classics (1718), 91. It must be our Care to think and write up to the Dignity … of the Things we presume to treat of.

1809.  Malkin, Gil Blas, XI. vii. ¶ 5. I should be sorry to write down to their comprehension.

1861.  J. Pycroft, Ways & Words, 33. Authors will learn to write down to the lowest standard.

  d.  To compose music, a melody, etc.

1672.  M. Locke, Obs. Ess. Adv. Mus., 14. Our certain Method of the Scale; which never gives … occasion for … writing in improper Keys.

1782.  Burney, Hist. Mus., II. 556. The custom … of writing upon a Plain-Song. Ibid. (1789), III. 109. Tallis and Bird had … long accustomed themselves to write for voices.

  22.  To compose a letter, note, etc.; to communicate information, etc., send word, by writing; to conduct epistolary correspondence. Also with for (a person or thing) or to (do something).

1340–70.  Alex. & Dind., 244. Whan dereworþe dindimus þe enditinge hurde Of alixandre askinge as he write hadde.

c. 1374.  Chaucer, Troylus, V. 1298. I kan not trowen þat she wol write a-yen.

a. 1400–50.  Wars Alexander, 2431. I wrate to ȝow at me to wayue [v.r. wafe] be ten wyse clerkis.

1481[?].  [see A. 2 a β].

1552.  in Feuillerat, Revels Edw. VI. (1915), 89. Sir wheras you required me to write, for that [etc.].

1586.  Raleigh, Lett., 29 May. The sider which I wrat to you for.

1626.  Bp. Mountagu, in Corr. J. Cosin (Surtees), I. 104. I haue no[t] much newes, nor occasion to write.

1692.  Prideaux, Lett. (Camden), 158. I have expressly wrot to be informed of it.

1719.  De Foe, Crusoe, I. (Globe), 36. Goods, such as the Captain had writ for.

1751.  Johnson, Rambler, No. 171, ¶ 6. I applied to him by letter, but had no answer. I writ in terms more pressing.

a. 1842.  in Bischoff, Woollen. Manuf., II. 318. He wrote to request my aid.

1890.  R. C. Lehmann, Harry Fludyer, 31. Tell Mary she hasn’t written for an age.

  b.  With preps., as to (also unto, till), or indirect personal object (cf. 7 b). Also const. of.

  In group (a), freq. from c. 1560. In group (b), rare until c. 1770; freq. c. 1790–c. 1865; now regarded as commercial or colloquial.

  (a)  c. 1000.  Three O. E. Prose Texts, 1. Þa ʓeþohte ic for þon to þe to writanne.

1382.  Wyclif, Jude i. 3. Makinge al bisynesse of writinge to ȝou of ȝoure comoun helthe.

1434.  Acts Privy Counc., IV. 351. The King hath wirten to þerle of Northumber[land].

c. 1470.  Henry, Wallace, XI. 945. Than Eduuard wrayt till Menteth prewalie.

1534.  Cromwell, in Life & Lett. (1902), I. 394. Wherefore … I … am bold to wryght vnto you.

1648.  Gage, West Ind., 163. I writ unto my friends.

1663.  Charles II., in Cartwright, Madame (1894), 136. I writt to you yesterday.

1751.  Eliza Heywood, Betsy Thoughtless, IV. 191. The abbess was wrote to concerning me.

1814.  Wellington, in Gurw., Desp. (1838), XII. 7. Write to me to General Colville’s quarters.

1888.  ‘J. S. Winter,’ Bootle’s Childr., viii. Ferrers wrote to a friend of his at Chertsey.

  (b)  c. 1374.  Chaucer, Troylus, V. 1303. Thow hast not wreten here syn þat she wente…. Now write here þanne [MS. Gg. to hire].

1611.  Ussher, Lett. (1686), 15. Together with … Mr. Cook’s Books you wrote me of.

1672.  in Camden Soc. Misc. (1881), 13. Being in hast, have not tyme to wright any body else.

1763.  Eliz. Carter, in Mem. (1808), I. 356. I writ you from Amsterdam.

1795.  Nelson, in Nicolas, Disp. (1845), II. 32. As I write you,… I shall not write Mrs. Nelson this day.

a. 1800.  Pegge, Anecd. (1814), 246. Wrote me, and write you, (merchant’s language).

1854.  Thackeray, Newcomes, xxxi. Clive … wrote me about the transmogrification of our schoolfellow.

1891.  Harper’s Mag., Nov., 840/1. Mr. Adams was another character of whom my host had written me.

  c.  With advs., as off, over. Write in (Theatr.), to send in notice in writing.

1577.  Harrison, England, III. i. (1878), II. 10. He wrote ouer for more of the same fish.

1855.  Kingsley, Westw. Ho! xv. He wrote off to Frank at Whitehall.

1866.  Lever, Sir B. Fossbrooke, II. 283. I … have written off to Tom Lendrick to come over here with his sister.

1900.  Westm. Gaz., 22 Nov., 9/2. The plaintiffs did not ‘write in’ or give notice that they were coming.

  23.  In clauses introduced by as, or with advs., as so, thus.

11[?].  in Eng. Misc. to Furnivall (1901), 91. Swa swa Lycas wrat on his godspelle.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 11467. For þe prophet had written sua, And said [etc.].

1375.  Barbour, Bruce, I. 525. Then slayn wes mone thowsand…, As Dares in his buk he wrate.

c. 1380.  Wyclif, Sel. Wks., II. 356. Þis Poul…, whan he wroot þus in prisoun to folk to turne hem to Crist.

c. 1450.  Capgrave, St. Augustine, 60. Rith þus he wrot in Latin.

1483.  Caxton, G. de la Tour, G iv. It was done as the kynge had wreton.

1538.  Starkey, England, I. iii. 83. Thys hath destroyd more then any pestylens, as Lyuius wrytyth.

1594.  H. Willobie, Avisa, 57 b. He wrate againe so as followeth.

1605.  Camden, Rem. (Epigr.), 11. To one … he wrighteth thus: Discendi [etc.].

1696.  Seafield’s Corr. (1912), 176. For newes, as Sr. James wreits to your Lo[rdshi]pe, ther is non.

1730.  A. Gordon, Maffei’s Amphith., 95. Thus has one of those foul-mouth’d Poets wrote.

1770.  [Dalrymple], Anc. Sc. Poems, 310. The Cardinal … writes thus to Cardinal Borromeo, 24th November 1561.

1874.  Symonds, Sk. Italy & Greece, 121. While I am writing thus about the production … of these love-songs.

  24.  To follow or practise writing as a profession or occupation; to work as a clerk, amanuensis or journalist; † Sc. to act as a ‘writer.’

c. 1380.  Antecrist, in Todd, Three Treat. Wyclif (1851), 138. To write to þe kynges seel and hold seculer courtes to byȝe & to selle.

1650.  J. Nicoll, Diary (Bann. Cl.), 2. Thomas Hunter, wryter,… wes fund giltie of perjurie; and thairfoir wes declaired incapable of wryting or agenting ony bussines.

1853.  Dickens, Bleak Ho., xx. You might live through it on much worse terms than by writing for Snagsby.

1895.  Escott, Platform, Press, etc., 281. The Daily News, on which Pigott once wrote.

  25.  To spell words in writing; to represent words, etc., orthographically.

c. 1620.  A. Hume, Brit. Tongue (1865), 7. To wryte orthographicallie ther are to be considered the symbol, the thing symbolized, and their congruence. Ibid., 21. I wald understand quhy they wryte not as they speak.

1704.  J. Pitts, Acc. Mohammetans, A 4 b. I … writ as near, as I could, to their way of speaking it.

  IV.  intr. for passive.

  26.  a. To be described in writing. rare^–1.

1827.  Lady Morgan, Mem. (1862), II. 247. The comfortless, unaccommodating reality of those times which paint and write so well.

  b.  To be penned or written. rare^–1.

1862.  O. Cockayne, St. Marher. (1866), p. v. The manuscripts … write straight away from end to end of the ruled lines.