I. ˈrīt, usu -īd.+V verb
( wrote ˈrōt, usu -ōd.+V ; also dialect writ ˈrit, usu -id.+V ; or South writ·ten ˈrit ə n ; written also writ or dialect wrote ; writing ; writes )
Etymology: Middle English writen, from Old English wrītan to scratch, draw, engrave, write; akin to Old Saxon wrītan to tear, wound, scratch, write, Old High German rīzan to tear, Old Norse rīta to write on parchment, Gothic writs stroke, letter, Greek rhinē file, rasp, Sanskrit vraṇa wound, tear, vṛhati he tears, plucks; basic meaning: incision, tearing
transitive verb
1.
a.
(1) : to draw or form by or as if by scoring or incising a surface
creases … written by laughter — Monica Pearson
(2) : to trace (a symbol or a meaningful combination of symbols) by carving or scoring : inscribe
a psalter written on wax — Eleanor Hull
the engraver wrote the inscription composed for the trophy
b.
(1) : to form or trace (a character or series of characters) on paper or other suitable material with a pen or pencil
write 7 instead of 9
(2) : to form or record (a meaningful sign) by a series of written characters
wrote 1000 words this afternoon — Arnold Bennett
(3) : to spell in writing
words written alike but pronounced differently
c. : to write significant or legible characters upon : cover, fill, or fill in by writing
write a check
write ten pages a day
write a postcard
d. : to form or produce (a legible character) in, upon, or by means of a suitable medium
his name written in lights on the marquee
an advertisement written by skywriting
wrote the letter A on the frosted windowpane
e. : to produce (symbols or words) by machine
by hitting combinations of keys, a child can write the letters he wants — Lois Henderson
f. : dictate 1
wrote the speech twice; the first time he forgot to put a disc in his dictation machine — Leonard Lyons
2. : to put down especially on paper in order to record, relate, or explain : set down in writing
whose life has lately been written — Norman Douglas
may have written these notes about that date — R.S.Whipple
when a man writes his wrongs — W.L.Sullivan
as
a. : to draw up : draft
get a lawyer to write your will
write a more liberal program which might run into a presidential veto — John Bird
b.
(1) : to compose in a literary form : be the author of : construct according to literary precepts
more concerned to write an adventure story than to compile a careful geographical work — Geographical Journal
this middle eighteenth century wrote little literature — V.L.Parrington
all the poetry that has ever been written — T.S.Eliot
write the libretto for an opera
wrote a suitable epitaph — J.G.Colton
(2) : to compose in musical form : be the composer of
a commission to write an opera — H.T. & D.A.Schnittkind
write a string quartet
also : to produce musical notation for
the guitar is sounded an octave lower than written
c. : to set forth in written language : express in literary form : reveal, describe, treat of, or depict by means of words
the great poet, in writing himself, writes his time — T.S.Eliot
could not write a claim — John McNulty
if I could write the beauty of your eyes — Shakespeare
d.
(1) : to communicate a message by
judged that at least one of every fifty residents … had written me a letter — Jane Woodfin
(2) : to make known in writing
wrote that he was leaving
e. : to use or exhibit (a specific script, language, or literary form or style) in writing
blind people who write Braille — Lois Henderson
writes French with ease
writes a free and easy vernacular
write poetry
especially : to make use of (an easy flowing script)
taught to write cursive rather than to print
f. : to write contracts or orders for
dealers began to get traffic and write business — William McNeill
write options on securities
especially : underwrite
write life insurance
3. : to make a permanent impression of : mark indelibly
a law of right conduct, written in our hearts — Herbert Agar
history, adventure, and romance are written in the doorways and roof lines — American Guide Series: Delaware
4. : to communicate with in writing : write a message to
he wrote them upon his arrival
5. : to style, call, sign, or exhibit in writing : set down : record to be something
his desire to write himself M.A. on the title page — J.H.Sledd & G.J.Kolb
6. : to make necessary : ordain , fate
so be it, it is written — D.C.Peattie
7. : to cause to appear evident or obvious : impress the stamp of
the happiness and peace written on the faces of these people — G.P.Musselman
his crafty caution written all over him — H.J.Laski
8. : to bring, force, effect, or cause the introduction or removal of by writing
major achievements of the United States labor movements are written into collective bargaining contracts — V.G.Reuther
has written the forlorn little working girl … into American fiction — Harry Hansen
his love was written into his affectionate letters — Ruth P. Randall
write oneself into fame and fortune — Charles Lee
9. : to take part in or bring about (something worthy of recording)
medical research in America today is writing one of the most heartwarming chapters in the story of mankind — advt.
the Colorado river has been writing a record of history in the earth's crust — Hot-Metal Magic
10. : read 1i
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to make significant characters or inscriptions by or as if by incising, scratching, engraving, or especially penning
wrote on stone tablets
also : to permit or be adapted to writing
this pen writes well
b. : to form or produce letters, words, or sentences with a pen, pencil, or machine
on the typewriter, having taught herself to write by position and touch — S.H.Adams
2. : to compose, communicate by, or send a letter
wrote home in glowing terms of the land of their adoption — Lutheran Quarterly
had written to some missionary society — W.B.Yeats
3.
a. : to produce or be engaged in producing a poem, book, play, story, or article : give literary or journalistic form to a conception, plot, or happening
writing on a second novel — J.K.Hutchens
wrote to a simple and direct theme — human endurance — Leslie Rees
writing despairingly of her husband's being drafted — Margaret Redfield
b. : to compose music
write in the sonata form
write for four voices
c. : to become regularly employed or occupied in writing: as
(1) : to become engaged in journalism : do editorial work or reporting
writes for the press
(2) : to follow the profession of author or composer
•
- write home about
- write one's own ticket
- writ large
- writ small
II. noun
( -s )
: sharp clear typewritten lettering or impression
clearness of write
III. transitive verb
: sell 2a(1)
write a stock option