Main Entry: as·cribe

Pronunciation: \ə-ˈskrīb\

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): as·cribed; as·crib·ing

Etymology: Middle English, from Latin ascribere, from ad- + scribere to write — more at scribe

Date: 15th century

: to refer to a supposed cause, source, or author

— as·crib·able \-ˈskrī-bə-bəl\ adjective

synonyms ascribe, attribute, assign, impute, credit mean to lay something to the account of a person or thing. ascribe suggests an inferring or conjecturing of cause, quality, authorship <forged paintings formerly ascribed to masters>. attribute suggests less tentativeness than ascribe , less definiteness than assign <attributed to Rembrandt but possibly done by an associate>. assign implies ascribing with certainty or after deliberation <assigned the bones to the Cretaceous period>. impute suggests ascribing something that brings discredit by way of accusation or blame <tried to impute sinister motives to my actions>. credit implies ascribing a thing or especially an action to a person or other thing as its agent, source, or explanation <credited his teammates for his success>.