v. Obs. [ad. L. subsignāre, f. sub- SUB- 2 + signāre to SIGN. Cf. OF. soubsigner (13th c.), mod.F. soussigner (16th c.).]
1. trans. To sign one’s name under, subscribe, attest with one’s signature or mark. Also, to subscribe (one’s name).
1579. Fenton, Guicciard., I. 19. He promised … by a writing subsigned with his owne hand, that [etc.].
1589. Hakluyt, Voy., 418. A letter of the Sophie … subsigned with the hands both of the Sophie and his Secretarie.
1605. Camden, Rem., 93. Neyther have they seene … any deede … before the Conquest, but subsigned with crosses and single names.
1688. in Gutch, Coll. Cur., II. 363. His Majesty intended … to require them to subsigne the Examinations.
1700. T. Madox, Formulare Anglic. (1702), p. xxvi. The Usage in This Kingdom was…, to Ratify their Charters by Subsigning their Names with Holy Crosses.
b. pass. To be signed so-and-so.
1583. Stocker, Civ. Warres Lowe C., II. 66 b. This sentence was pronounced the 4 of June 1568. And subsigned, Duke de Alua.
1687. N. Johnston, Assur. Abbey Lands, 189. Dated at Rome…. Subsigned Beltradus.
1700. T. Madox, Formulare Anglic. (1702), p. xxvii. A Charter of K. Eadmund … is subsigned, Ego Eadmundus [etc.].
c. pass. To have a certain inscription underneath.
1572. Bossewell, Armorie, III. 25 b. H. Hathe to hys Creste, a Verme hariante propre, subsigned about the tayle with a scrowe conteining thys Apothegme. Est inclyta Virtus.
2. absol. or intr. To append one’s signature; (with clause) to testify that.… In quots. fig.
1581. Mulcaster, Positions, iii. (1888), 10. Till iudgement haue subsigned, and circunstance sealed.
a. 1586. Sidney, Ps. l. ii. The heav’ns subsigned with their handes, That God in justice eminentlie raignes.
3. trans. To sign away.
1605. Sir C. Cornwallis, in Winwood, Mem. (1725), II. 75. His owne Treasurie was exhausted, his Rents … susigned [sic] for the most parte for the Payment of Money borrowed.
