v.
Pronunciation: ' r ī t
Function: verb
Inflected Form: wrote \ ' r ō t \ ; writ · ten \ ' ri-t ə n \ also writ \ ' rit \ or dialect wrote ; writ · ing \ ' r ī -ti ŋ \
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English wr ī tan to scratch, draw, inscribe; akin to Old High German r ī zan to tear and perhaps to Greek rhin ē file, rasp
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1 a : to form (as characters or symbols) on a surface with an instrument (as a pen) b : to form (as words) by inscribing the characters or symbols of on a surface c : to spell in writing <words written alike but pronounced differently> d : to cover, fill, or fill in by writing < wrote ten pages> < write a check>
2 : to set down in writing: as a : DRAW UP , DRAFT < write a will> b (1) : to be the author of : COMPOSE < write s poems and essays> (2) : to compose in musical form < write a string quartet> c : to express in literary form <if I could write the beauty of your eyes ― Shakespeare> d : to communicate by letter < write s that they are coming> e : to use or exhibit (a specific script, language, or literary form or style) in writing < write Braille> < write s French with ease> f : to write contracts or orders for especially : UNDERWRITE < write life insurance>
3 : to make a permanent impression of
4 : to communicate with in writing <we'll write you when we get there>
5 : ORDAIN , FATE <so be it, it is written ― D. C. Peattie>
6 : to make evident or obvious <guilt written on his face>
7 : to force, effect, introduce, or remove by writing < write oneself into fame and fortune ― Charles Lee>
8 : to take part in or bring about (something worth recording)
9 a : to introduce (information) into the storage device or medium of a computer b : to transfer (information) from the main memory of a computer to a storage or output device
10 : SELL < write a stock option>
intransitive verb
1 a : to make significant characters or inscriptions also : to permit or be adapted to writing b : to form or produce written letters, words, or sentences
2 : to compose, communicate by, or send a letter
3 a : to produce a written work b : to compose music
– write one's own ticket : to select a course of action or position entirely according to one's wishes
– writ large : on a larger scale or in a more prominent manner <the problems of modern totalitarianism are only our own problems writ large ― Times Lit. Supp. >
– writ small : on a smaller scale