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Ascribe Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ“
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ascribe

[ษ™หˆskraษชb ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

formal

To attribute something to a particular cause or source.

Synonyms

assign, attribute, credit.

Examples of usage

  • The author ascribed the success of the book to his editor.
  • She ascribed her talent to years of practice.
Context #2 | Verb

formal

To regard something as being due to or based on.

Synonyms

ascribe to, chalk up, impute.

Examples of usage

  • He ascribed the error to a misunderstanding.
  • She ascribed his anger to stress.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • People often ascribe positive traits to those they admire, and negative traits to those they dislike, illustrating a psychological bias.
  • Attribution theory explores how individuals interpret and understand the causes of behavior and events, connecting closely to the process of ascribing.

Literature

  • In literary analysis, critics ascribe themes and meanings to texts, drawing on historical and contextual backgrounds.
  • Authors often ascribe characters' motivations to specific experiences or societal influences, enriching the narrative.

Philosophy

  • Philosophers debate what it means to ascribe qualities to objects or beings, raising questions about identity and essence.
  • In metaphysics, ascription of properties can lead to discussions about reality and perception.

Pop Culture

  • In music, fans often ascribe the success of songs to the artists' unique styles or emotional authenticity.
  • Awards are ascribed to artists based on public voting or expert judging, often reflecting societal values and trends.

Origin of 'ascribe'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'ascribere,' meaning 'to write to' or 'to add to.'
  • In the 15th century, it began to be used in English to refer to attributing qualities or origins.

The word 'ascribe' originated from the Latin word 'ascribere', which means 'to write in, to add to'. The term has been in use in English since the late 15th century. Originally used in a more literal sense of attributing a text or writing to a specific author or source, it has evolved to encompass a broader range of attributions and assignments.

See also: circumscribed, inscribed, prescribe, scribble, scribe, scribes, scribing, scrivener, subscribe, subscriber, subscription, transcribe.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,148, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.