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transcribe Definition

tran·scribe (tran skrīb′)

transitive verb transcribed -·scribed′, transcribing -·scrib′·ing

  1. to write out or type out in full (shorthand notes, a speech, etc.)
  2. to represent (speech sounds) in phonetic or phonemic symbols
  3. to translate or transliterate
  4. to arrange or adapt (a piece of music) for an instrument, voice, or ensemble other than that for which it was originally written
  5. to make a recording
  6. Cytology to convert (DNA, genes, etc.) into RNA, esp. messenger RNA

Etymology: L transcribere: see trans- & scribe

Related Forms:

transcribe Synonyms

transcribe

v.

reprint, copy, decipher; see reproduce 1.

transcribe Usage Examples

Object

  • census: A future plan is to transcribe the 1901 census.
  • manuscript: Between 1812 and 1822 Bello transcribes the manuscripts of Jeremy Bentham and gave private English and French classes.

Used with why or when

  • what: It is important to transcribe what you see, not what you think might have been intended.