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inscription Definition

in·scrip·tion (in skrips̸hən)

noun

  1. the act of inscribing
  2. something inscribed or engraved, as on a coin or monument
    1. a brief or informal dedication in a book, etc.
    2. a short, signed message written in a book, etc. one is presenting as a gift

Etymology: ME inscripcioun < L inscriptio < inscriptus, pp. of inscribere

inscription Related Forms
in·scrip·tive adjective or in·scrip·tional
inscription Synonyms

inscription

n.

engraving, saying, legend, dedication; see epitaph, heading, writing 2.

inscription Usage Examples

Preposition: on

  • fly-leaf: Frontispiece plus three further full-page engravings ( one dated 22 July 1820 ) Note: Inscription on fly-leaf: ' Mary Anne Burgess.
  • gravestone: I loved reading the inscriptions on gravestones and checking out the dates of the people who had died.
  • tombstone: The inscription on the tombstone to Victor the Moorish slave reveals that he was highly valued by his Spanish master.
  • headstone: Some months ago saplings had taken root there and the inscriptions on the headstone and scroll could scarcely be deciphered.
  • tomb: While some people puzzled over Latin and Greek inscriptions on the tombs, others started pacing out distances again.

Preposition: in

  • churchyard: The earliest readable inscription in the churchyard dates from 1683.

Adjective modifier

  • monumental: Examples were given of family trees constructed purely from monumental inscriptions.
  • dedicatory: The Holy Trinity angel still has part of the original dedicatory inscription beneath his feet.
  • runic: A runic inscription in the center translates as ' Luda repaired the brooch ' .
  • Latin: Just below the rim is an engraved Latin inscription which runs around the pan in an unbroken sequence.
  • cuneiform: Closer study of the cuneiform inscriptions raised the first doubts.
  • hieroglyphic: The hieroglyphic inscriptions present incantations to be recited to protect the body against harmful creatures.

Converse of object

  • carve: In the woods is a rock with an inscription carved by a Roman soldier in the 3rd Century.
  • transcribe: To take a local example the Essex Society for Family History has transcribed the monumental inscriptions from many churchyards including ours.
  • bear: The graves bear the inscriptions " Corporal J TAYLOR.
  • engrave: Just below the rim is an engraved Latin inscription which runs around the pan in an unbroken sequence.

Noun used with modifier

  • gravestone: Incidentally, a good number of Family History Societies either have already recorded gravestone inscriptions in their areas, or are currently doing so.
  • tombstone: The Ledger graves have all gone now, but there is a record of the tombstone inscription.
  • ogham: Mystery script The ogham inscription at Dunadd has been a matter of debate since it was first recognized in the 1950s.
  • memorial: King's Stanley Church memorial inscriptions, taken in 1879.
inscription Quotes

Latin. Langage naturel de l'homme. Ga"  te l'e¤  criture. Est seulement utile pour comprendre les inscriptions des fontaines publiques. Il faut se me¤  fier des citations en Latin; elles cachent toujours quelque chose de leste. Latin. Man's natural language. Spoils your style.Useful only for reading the inscriptions on public fountains. Beware of quotations in Latin: theyalways conceal something improper.

—Flaubert, Gustave

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