Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

rescript

noun
re·​script | \ ˈrē-ˌskript \

Definition of rescript

1 : a written answer of a Roman emperor or of a pope to a legal inquiry or petition
2 : an official or authoritative order, decree, edict, or announcement
3 : an act or instance of rewriting
Synonyms When Should You Use rescript? Example Sentences Learn More about rescript

Keep scrolling for more

When Should You Use rescript?

Rescript was first used in the 15th century for the written reply of a sovereign or pope to a question about some matter of law or state, and then for any type of authoritative declaration. Since the 19th century, however, it has also seen use as a synonym of rewrite. Charlotte Brontë, for one, used the word this way in her novel Villette. "I wrote [the letter] three times ... subduing the phrases at every rescript," her narrator confesses.

Examples of rescript in a Sentence

even though there was never an official rescript ordering mass genocide, that was indeed the intent and effect of the government's policy

Recent Examples on the Web

 Soon, Duke writes, the rescript became associated with Japanese nationalism, a reverence for a divine emperor and a strict educational system. — Erin Blakemore, Smithsonian, "Japan Will Allow Its Schools to Use a Controversial 19th-Century Imperial Text," 10 Apr. 2017 At the time, the rescript served an important purpose. — Erin Blakemore, Smithsonian, "Japan Will Allow Its Schools to Use a Controversial 19th-Century Imperial Text," 10 Apr. 2017 At the time, the rescript served an important purpose. — Erin Blakemore, Smithsonian, "Japan Will Allow Its Schools to Use a Controversial 19th-Century Imperial Text," 10 Apr. 2017 Soon, Duke writes, the rescript became associated with Japanese nationalism, a reverence for a divine emperor and a strict educational system. — Erin Blakemore, Smithsonian, "Japan Will Allow Its Schools to Use a Controversial 19th-Century Imperial Text," 10 Apr. 2017 Conservatives see the rescript as a paean to traditional values; liberals as a throwback to a more authoritarian era. — Jonathan Soble, Orange County Register, "‘Traditionalist’ Japanese kindergarten with ties to prime minister is accused of nationalist bigotry, fraud," 25 Feb. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rescript.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of rescript

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for rescript

Middle English rescripte, from Latin rescriptum, from neuter of rescriptus, past participle of rescribere to write in reply, from re- + scribere to write — more at scribe

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about rescript

Listen to Our Podcast about rescript

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Statistics for rescript

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for rescript

The first known use of rescript was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

More from Merriam-Webster on rescript

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with rescript

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for rescript

Comments on rescript

What made you want to look up rescript? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

wherewithal

means, resources, or money

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Homophone Quiz

  • three-bears-two-of-them-look-like-theyre-whispering-to-a-third-bear-who-looks-chuffed-to-be-the-center-of-attention
  • In order to judge how people felt, the senator's office hired a firm to take a ______.
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Dictionary Devil

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games