Subscribe

v. Also 6 -ybe. [ad. L. subscrībĕre, f. sub- SUB- 2 + scribĕre to write. Cf. SUBSCRIVE.

  From L. subscrībĕre are also It. soscrivere, Sp. su(b)scribir, Pg. subscrever; from L. type *subtusscrībĕre, OF. souzescrire, soubscrire, mod.F. souscrire, Pr. sotzescrivre, It. sottoscrivere.]

  1.  trans. To write (one’s name or mark) on, orig. at the bottom of, a document, esp. as a witness or consenting party; to sign (one’s name) to. Now rare.

1425.  Rolls of Parlt., IV. 297/2. In witnesse of whiche þing,… my said Lord of Glouc’ hath subscribed his name with his owne hand. H. Gloucestr’.

c. 1510.  More, Picus, Wks. 3/2. Which questions … not a few famous doctours … had approued … and subscribed their names vndre them.

1511.  in Ellis, Orig. Lett., Ser. II. (1827), I. 182. That every gentilman answerer doo subscribe his name to the Articles.

1601.  Chester, Love’s Mart., title-p., Seuerall moderne Writers, whose names are subscribed to their seuerall workes.

1643.  Decl. Commons Reb. Irel., 49. The marke of Christopher Hassall is subscribed.

1676.  Office Clerk of Assize, B vij. Then must the Clerk of Assize direct the Cryer to call the Witnesses as they be subscribed to the Indictment.

1766.  Blackstone, Comm., II. 377. They must all subscribe their names as witnesses.

1797.  Mrs. Radcliffe, Italian, xvii. Vivaldi was ordered to subscribe his name and quality to the depositions.

1816.  Scott, Old Mort., xxxvi. Subscribe your name in the record.

[1891.  Daily News, 9 Feb., 5/5. Could a signature be said to be sub-scribed when, strictly speaking, it was supra-scribed?]

  b.  To write, set down, or inscribe below or at the conclusion of something. Now rare.

1579.  Digges, Stratiot., I. iii. 3. Beginne your collection from the right hand to the lefte … & what Digit resulteth, subscribe.

1611.  Coryat, Crudities, 56. A goodly statue … with an honourable Elogium subscribed vnderneath the same.

1657.  J. Watts, Scribe, Pharisee, etc. III. 101. I shall take my leave, and subscribe a friendly farewel to you.

1709–29.  V. Mandey, Syst. Math., Arith., 17. The Remainer being subscribed under the line drawn.

1727.  Ann. Reg., Chron., 239. His picture … with the words, ‘The Atheist Parson,’ subscribed in capitals.

1860.  Alb. Smith, Med. Stud. (1861), 72. In the space left for the degree of attention which the student has shown, it is better that he subscribes nothing at all than an indifferent report.

1863.  E. Masson, trans. Winer’s Gram. N. T., 59. In the earlier editions of the N. T. the Iota subscribed was too frequently introduced.

  † c.  To put (a person) down for so much. Obs. rare.

1593.  Shaks., Rich. II., I. iv. 50. Blanke-charters, Whereto when they shall know what men are rich, They shall subscribe them for large summes of Gold.

  2.  With compl.: a. refl. To put oneself down as so-and-so, at the foot of a letter or other document. Now rare.

1678.  R. Russell, trans. Geber, Transl. Pref. 4. I here conclude subscribing myself … your real Friend.

1711.  Steele, Spect., No. 27, ¶ 7. I am almost asham’d to Subscribe my self Yours, T. D.

1780.  Mirror, No. 81. A lady who subscribed herself S. M.

c. 1820.  in Corr. J. Sinclair (1831), II. 400. Allow me to … subscribe myself … your obedient, humble servant, J. R. Brancaleoni.

1827.  Scott, Chron. Canongate, Introd. I beg leave to subscribe myself his obliged humble servant, Walter Scott.

1828.  Darvill, Race Horse, I. Ded. He who has the honour to subscribe himself,… Your most obliged And very humble Servant, R. Darvill.

  † b.  trans. To ‘write (one) down’ so-and-so. Obs. rare.

1599.  Shaks., Much Ado, V. ii. 59. Claudio vndergoes my challenge, and either I must shortly heare from him, or I will subscribe him a coward.

  3.  To sign one’s name to; to signify assent or adhesion to, by signing one’s name; to attest by signing. (Cf. SUBSCRIPTION 5.)

  Formerly often to subscribe with one’s (own) hand, to be subscribed with a name or names.

1440.  Patent Roll 18 Hen. VI., III. To thentente that these articles … should show of more record my true acquitail, I have subscribid them of my own hand.

1451.  Rolls of Parlt., V. 218/1. That the seide Letters Patentes so subscribed with the names, be enrolled.

c. 1520.  Skelton, Magnyf., 1685. With his hande I made hym to suscrybe A byll of recorde for an annuall rent.

1579.  W. Wilkinson, Confut. Fam. Love, Brief Descr. iv. Their doctrine subscribed with his owne hand is this.

1651.  N. Bacon, Disc. Govt. Eng., II. i. (1739), 6. He causeth the Judges to subscribe this Order, and so it becomes Law in repute.

1662.  Act 14 Chas. II., c. 4 § 6. Every … person in Holy Orders … shall … subscribe the Declaration … following scilicet.

1781.  Gibbon, Decl. & F., xix. (1787), II. 128. The emperor was persuaded to subscribe the condemnation of … Gallus.

1818.  Cruise, Digest (ed. 2), VI. 69. He subscribed the will as a witness in the same room.

1843.  Gladstone, Glean. (1879), V. 38. On behalf of truth, we subscribe the protest against these preposterous impositions.

1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., ii. I. 171. Not content with requiring him to conform to their worship, and to subscribe their Covenant.

1888.  Q. Rev., CLXVII. 209. Al Oxford the matriculator subscribed the Thirty-nine Articles.

  fig.  1847.  De Quincey, Sp. Mil. Nun, viii. Wks. 1853, III. 17. Chance is but the pseudonyme of God for those particular cases which he does not choose to subscribe openly with his own sign manual.

  b.  pass. (a) With a name or description: To be signed so-and-so. Now rare.

1640.  in Rushw., Hist. Coll. (1692), III. I. 114. Fourteen Letters subscribed, W. Cant.

1725.  Lond. Gaz., No. 6349/1. A Letter subscribed W. Baker.

1780.  Mirror, No. 84. A letter subscribed Censor.

  † (b)  pass. To be furnished with an inscription beneath. Obs. rare.

1688.  R. Holme, Armoury, III. ii. 33/2. An Escochion … Subscribed, Moneta Nova Ordin. Frisiæ.

  † 4.  To give one’s assent or adhesion to; to countenance, support, favor, sanction, concur in.

1560.  Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 12. Manye do subscribe, and myghtye nations maynteine the cause.

1574.  trans. Marlorat’s Apocalips, 15. They agree to the opinion of other men, and subscribe their sayings.

1603.  Shaks., Meas. for M., II. iv. 89. Admit no other way to saue his life (As I subscribe not that, nor any other, But in the losse of question). Ibid. (1606), Tr. & Cr., II. iii. 156. Aia. … Doe you not thinke, he thinkes himselfe a better man then I am? Ag. No question. Aiax. Will you subscribe his thought, and say he is?

1781.  Gibbon, Decl. & F., xxxvi. (1787), III. 494. Orestes … chose rather to encounter the rage of an armed multitude, than to subscribe the ruin of an innocent people.

  † 5.  To sign away, yield up. Obs. rare.

1605.  Shaks., Lear, I. ii. 24 (Qo.). The King gone to night, subscribd [1st Fo. Prescrib’d] his power, confined to exhibition, all this donne.

  6.  intr. To write one’s signature; esp. to put one’s signature to in token of assent, approval or testimony; to sign one’s name as a witness, etc. Also in indirect pass.

1535.  Coverdale, Isa. xliv. 5. The thirde shal subscrybe with his honde vnto y^e Lorde.

1560.  Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 140. This was the effect therof whereunto subscribed sixe and twenty Cardinalles.

1571.  Act 13 Eliz., c. 12 § 4. None … shalbe admitted to thorder of Deacon or Ministerie, unles he shall fyrst subscribe to the saide Artycles.

159[?].  Sir T. More, IV. ii. 74 [1235]. His maiestie hath sent by me these articles … to be subscribed to.

1606.  Shaks., Ant. & Cl., IV. v. 14. Write to him, (I will subscribe) gentle adieu’s, and greetings.

1611.  Bible, Transl. Pref., ¶ 11. They could not with good conscience subscribe to the Communion booke.

1691.  Wood, Ath. Oxon., I. 104. In 1546 he proceeded in Divinity, having about that time subscribed to the 34 Articles.

a. 1722.  Fountainhall, Decis. (1759), I. 12. Unless there be two Notaries, and … he gave them command to subscribe for him.

1724.  Swift, Drapier’s Lett., Wks. 1755, V. II. 101. Many of those who subscribed against me.

1909.  Engl. Hist. Rev., April, 242. Raignolds conformed, but in a vigorous … letter to Bancroft refused to subscribe.

  † b.  With compl. Obs. rare.

1641.  Milton, Ch. Govt., II. Fj. Perceaving … that he who would take Orders must subscribe slave, and take an oath withall.

  7.  To give one’s assent to a statement, opinion, proposal, scheme, or the like; to express one’s agreement, concurrence or acquiescence.

1549.  Chaloner, Erasm. Praise Folly, Cj. If ye all doo subscribe to this opinion.

1588.  Shaks., Tit. A., IV. ii. 130. Aduise thee Aaron, what is to be done, And we will all subscribe to thy aduise.

1614.  Raleigh, Hist. World, II. 362. The Thracians againe subscribe to none of these reports.

1643.  Sir T. Browne, Relig. Med., II. § 3. 143. The Foundations of Religion are already established, and the principles of Salvation subscribed unto by all.

1675.  Baxter, Cath. Theol., II. I. 121. What Jesuite or Arminian will not subscribe to this? Who doubteth of it?

1699.  Bentley, Phal., 67. Clement’s Computation is subscribed to … by Cyril.

1710.  Pope, Lett., 20 July. I do not expect you shou’d subscribe to my private notions.

1765.  Museum Rust., IV. 121. If they do not implicitly subscribe to his condemnation of other botanists.

1771.  Smollett, Humphry Cl. (1815), 250. She enters into her scheme of economy … and … subscribes implicitly to her system of devotion.

1823.  Scott, Quentin D., Introd. I am contented to subscribe to the opinion of the best qualified judge of our time.

1877.  Gladstone, Glean. (1879), III. 207. That comparison … is not stated … in a manner to which I can subscribe.

1878.  H. M. Stanley, Dark Cont., II. xi. 315. They readily subscribed to all the requirements of friendship.

  b.  To agree or be a party to a course of action or condition of things; to give approval, sanction or countenance to; also occas. to consent or engage to; to agree that.… Now rare or Obs.

1566.  in Ellis, Orig. Lett., Ser. I. II. 217. The Quene … wyll that all men that ar frends to anye of those that were previe to David deathe shall subscribe to pursue them…. Some have subscribed, other have refused.

a. 1570.  in Feuillerat, Revels Q. Eliz. (1908), 407. He having ben required … to consent and subscribe to thaccomptes and reckoninges of the Revelles.

1596.  Lodge, Wits Miserie, 68. The nobility amongst the Iewes … would subscribe to no election or superioritie.

1597.  Beard, Theatre God’s Judgem. (1612), 401. A certaine Cardinall committed daily Adulterie with a mans wife, that winked and as it were subscribed vnto it.

a. 1604.  Hanmer, Chron. Irel. (1633), 32. They … yeelded to subscribe, that … they would not receive any Scot into their dominions.

1667.  Milton, P. L., XI. 182. So spake, so wish’d much humbl’d Eve, but Fate Subscrib’d not.

1783.  W. Gordon, trans. Livy’s Rom. Hist., II. xlv. (1809), 172. That the enemy should pass unpunished they could by no means subscribe to.

1825.  Hazlitt, Spirit of Age, 173. The reverend divine might submit to the obligation, but he has no occasion to subscribe to the jest.

1844.  Lingard, Anglo-Saxon Ch., I. iii. 141. Shall … I … tamely subscribe to my own degradation?

  8.  To give one’s adhesion or allegiance, make one’s submission to another; gen. to submit, yield, give in. Now rare or Obs.

1590.  Greene, Never too late (1600), 87. That he whom loue and errour did betray, Subscribes to thee [i.e., Reason].

1591.  Troub. Raigne K. John (1611), 58. Subscribe not Hubert, giue not Gods part away.

c. 1600.  Shaks., Sonn., cvii. Death to me subscribes; Since spight of him Ile liue in this poore rime. Ibid. (1606), Tr. & Cr., IV. v. 105. Hector in his blaze of wrath subscribes To tender obiects.

1631.  Quarles, Samson, § 7, Wks. (Grosart), II. 144/2. Passion replies, That feare and filiall duty Must serve affection, and subscribe to beauty.

a. 1652.  Brome, City Wit, IV. i. As for Corantoes,… I speake it not swellingly, but I subscribe to no man.

c. 1665.  Mrs. Hutchinson, Mem. Col. Hutchinson (1846), 69. I cannot subscribe to those who entitle that king to the honour of the reformation.

1851.  Hussey, Papal Power, ii. 76. Anatolius required the Illyrian Bishops to subscribe to him, that is, profess canonical obedience.

  † b.  To submit or subject oneself to law or rule; to conform or defer to a person’s will, etc. Obs.

1596.  Shaks., Tam. Shr., I. i. 81. Sir, to your pleasure humbly I subscribe.

1621.  T. Williamson, trans. Goulart’s Wise Vieillard, 119. To subscribe and submit himselfe to all his Statutes and Lawes.

1642.  J. M[arsh], Argt. conc. Militia, 10. The will of the King ought to subscribe to the Law.

1760–72.  H. Brooke, Fool of Qual. (1809), II. 134. I would make a … narration to my child of all that had passed, but … would wholly subscribe to her pleasure.

  † c.  To admit one’s inferiority or error, confess oneself in the wrong. Obs. rare.

1591.  Shaks., 1 Hen. VI., II. iv. 44. If I haue fewest, I subscribe in silence. Ibid. (1593), 2 Hen. VI., III. i. 38. Which feare, if better Reasons can supplant, I will subscribe, and say I wrong’d the Duke.

  9.  Const. to: a. To admit or concede the force, validity or truth of. Now rare or Obs.

1591.  Shaks., Two Gent., V. iv. 145. I … Plead a new state in thy vn-riual’d merit, To which I thus subscribe.

1753.  Richardson, Grandison, I. xx. One to whose superior merit, and to whose good fortune, I can subscribe.

1771.  Goldsm., Hist. Eng., I. Pref. p. vi. I must warmly subscribe to the learning … of Mr. Hume’s history.

1838.  Lytton, Alice, I. xii. They have confided to me all the reasons of your departure and I cannot but subscribe to their justice.

  † b.  To make acknowledgement or admission of.

1601.  Shaks., All’s Well, V. iii. 96. When I had subscrib’d To mine owne fortune, and inform’d her fully.

  † 10.  To make an undertaking for, vouch or answer for a person. Obs.

1599.  Shaks., Much Ado, I. i. 41. He … challeng’d Cupid at the Flight: and my Vnckles foole reading the Challenge, subscrib’d for Cupid. Ibid. (1601), All’s Well, III. vi. 89. I know th’art valiant, And to the possibility of thy souldiership, Will subscribe for thee.

  11.  trans. To promise over one’s signature to pay (a sum of money) for shares in an undertaking, or to or towards a particular object; to undertake to contribute (money) in support of any object. Also, to take up (shares); = subscribe for (see 12).

1640.  Act 16 Chas. I., c. 37 § 1. Diverse great summes of money have beene subscribed some part whereof is already paid in.

a. 1700.  Evelyn, Diary, 27 Nov. 1657. The stock resolv’d on was 800,000l. I tooke the oath at the E. India House, subscribing 500l. Ibid., 7 July 1664. I subscribed to Sir Arthur Slingsby’s lottery a desperate debt owing me long since.

1762.  T. Mortimer, Ev. Man own Broker (ed. 5), 171. The sum each subscriber has subscribed.

1792.  Almon, Anecd. W. Pitt, I. vii. 165. Pitt never subscribed one shilling into the funds.

1855.  Ann. Reg., Chron., 117/2. Nearly 40,000,000l. was subscribed [for the new French loan].

1863.  Fawcett, Pol. Econ., I. iv. 42. Indian railways have been constructed by loans subscribed almost entirely in England.

1871.  Ann Reg., Chron., 113. The large sum of 10,000l. was subscribed at once.

1891.  Stutfield, Rules Stock Exch., 121. Vendors’ or contractors’ shares issued as paid up are not ‘subscribed.’

1912.  World, 7 May, 698/2. Over $300,000 was subscribed in Canada for ordinary shares.

  b.  transf. To contribute.

1902.  Daily Chron., 28 June, 9/2. The English team were engaged in an up-hill task against the Colonials, who … subscribed the heavy score of 402.

  12.  absol. or intr. To undertake to contribute money to a fund, to a society, party, etc.

1642.  in Rushw., Hist. Coll. (1692), III. I. 564. The Names of such Members of the Commons House of Parliament that Subscribed … for the speedy Reducing of the Rebels.

1701.  Evelyn, Diary, 14 July. I subscrib’d towards rebuilding Oakwood Chapel.

1780.  T. Mortimer, Elem. Comm., 386. To give them a fresh contributive faculty to subscribe to new loans.

1781.  Cowper, Charity, 467. Extravagance and av’rice shall subscribe.

1792.  in Athenæum (1887), 5 Nov., 604/3. Will you have the Journal de Jacobins? I’ll subscribe on your answer.

1837.  Dickens, Pickw., vii. I subscribe to the club here.

1848.  Thackeray, Van. Fair, xlv. He … subscribed handsomely to the county charities.

1856.  Hurlstone & Gordon, Exch. Rep., XI. 715. Certain persons had subscribed to a steeple chase, to be run in the neighbourhood of Henley.

1876.  ‘L. Carroll,’ Hunting the Snark, V. xxii. In charity-meetings it stands at the door, And collects—though it does not subscribe.

  b.  To subscribe for: to put one’s name down as a purchaser of shares, a periodical, newspaper, or book, etc.

1711.  Swift, Jrnl. to Stella, 21 Sept. The maids of honour … are teazing others to subscribe for the book.

1749.  J. Wood, Descr. Bath (ed. 2), II. 445. I am well satisfied as many fifty Pound Tickets … would have been Subscribed for.

1829.  Lipscomb, Buckingham, Prospectus, Subscribers are … requested to transmit their names … through Messrs. Longman and Co…., by whom the respective Parts will be issued in the order subscribed for.

1890.  Sprigge, Meth. Publ., 19. When the libraries have subscribed for their copies.

1891.  Stutfield, Rules Stock Exch., 106. The loan may be subscribed for in amounts of £100.

  13.  Book trade. † a. trans. To issue (a book) to subscribers. Obs.

1701.  Advt., in De Royaumont’s Hist. O. & N. Test. The Book will be Subscribed at one Pound in Quires. One Half down the other for Delivery, a 7th book gratis.

  b.  Of a bookseller: To agree beforehand to take (a certain number of copies of a book); also subscribe for. Also occas. intr. Of a book: To be taken by the trade.

1867.  Spedding, Publ. & Authors, 37. I suppose that copies which are ‘subscribed for’ at the trade-sales are really sold to the subscribers at that rate of discount.

1873.  Curwen, Hist. Booksellers, 428. Of Mr. Disraeli’s ‘Lothair’ 1500 copies were at first subscribed.

1887.  Athenæum, 25 June, 833/1. The London trade have subscribed for 10,000 copies, which is said to be the largest number ever subscribed for a six-shilling novel.

1888.  ‘J. S. Winter,’ Conf. Publisher, xii. 87. Dayley’s book ‘Memory’ came out. On the whole, it subscribed very well.

  c.  Of a publisher: To offer (a book) to the trade.

1910.  Encycl. Brit. (ed. 11), IV. 234/2. At one of these establishments over 1,000,000 books are kept in stock. It is here that the publisher calls first on showing or ‘subscribing’ a new book, a critical process, for by the number thus subscribed the fate of a book is sometimes determined.

1913.  Early Life Mk. Rutherford, 83. My occupation now [185[?]] was to write Chapman’s letters,… and, most disagreeable, to ‘subscribe’ his publications, that is to say, to call on booksellers and ask how many copies they would take.

  ¶ A sense ‘to publish by subscription,’ given by some Dicts., but is not recognized by the trade.