As*cribe" (&?;), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Ascribed (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n.
Ascribing.] [L. ascribere, adscribere, to ascribe;
ad + scribere to write: cf. OF. ascrire. See
Scribe.] 1. To attribute, impute, or refer, as
to a cause; as, his death was ascribed to a poison; to
ascribe an effect to the right cause; to ascribe such a book
to such an author.
The finest [speech] that is ascribed to Satan in the
whole poem.
Addison.
2. To attribute, as a quality, or an appurtenance;
to consider or allege to belong.
Syn. -- To Ascribe, Attribute, Impute.
Attribute denotes, 1. To refer some quality or attribute to a being;
as, to attribute power to God. 2. To refer something to its cause or
source; as, to attribute a backward spring to icebergs off the
coast. Ascribe is used equally in both these senses, but involves a
different image. To impute usually denotes to ascribe something
doubtful or wrong, and hence, in general literature, has commonly a bad
sense; as, to impute unworthy motives. The theological sense of
impute is not here taken into view.
More than good-will to me attribute naught.
Spenser.
Ascribes his gettings to his parts and merit.
Pope.
And fairly quit him of the imputed blame.
Spenser.
