raɪt v. (past
wrote;
past part. written) 1 intr. mark
paper or
some other surface by
means of a
pen,
pencil,
etc.,
with symbols, letters, or words. 2 tr.
form or mark (such symbols etc.). 3 tr. form or mark
the symbols
that represent or
constitute (a
word or
sentence, or a
document etc.). 4 tr.
fill or
complete (a sheet,
cheque, etc.) with
writing. 5 tr. put (data)
into a
computer store. 6 tr. (esp. in passive)
indicate (a
quality or condition) by one's or
its appearance (guilt
was written on
his face). 7 tr.
compose (a
text,
article, novel, etc.)
for written or printed
reproduction or
publication; put into
literary etc. form
and set down in writing. 8 intr. be
engaged in composing a text, article, etc. (writes for the
local newspaper). 9 intr. (foll. by to) write and
send a
letter (to a recipient). 10 tr. US or colloq. write and send a letter to (a person) (wrote
him last week). 11 tr.
convey (news,
information, etc.) by letter (wrote that
they would arrive next Friday). 12 tr.
state in written or printed form (it is written that). 13 tr.
cause to be recorded. 14 tr.
underwrite (an
insurance policy). 15 tr. (foll. by into,
out of)
include or
exclude (a
character or episode) in a story by
suitable changes of the text. 16 tr.
archaic describe in writing. ønothing to write
home about colloq. of
little interest or
value. write down 1
record or
take note of in writing. 2 write as if for
those considered
inferior. 3
disparage in writing. 4
reduce the
nominal value of (stock, goods, etc.). write in 1 send a
suggestion,
query, etc., in writing to an
organization,
esp. a broadcasting
station. 2 US
add (an
extra name) on a list of candidates
when voting. write-in n. US an
instance of writing in (see write in 2). write
off 1 write and send a letter. 2
cancel the record of (a
bad debt etc.);
acknowledge the
loss of or
failure to
recover (an asset). 3
damage (a
vehicle etc.) so
badly that it
cannot be repaired. 4 compose with
facility. write-off n. a
thing written off, esp. a vehicle
too badly damaged to be repaired. write out 1 write in full or in finished form. 2
exhaust (oneself) by writing (have written
myself out). write up 1 write a full
account of. 2
praise in writing. 3
make entries to
bring (a
diary etc.) up to date. write-up n. colloq. a written or published account, a
review. øøwritable adj. [OE writan
scratch,
score, write, f. Gmc: orig. used of symbols inscribed with
sharp tools on
stone or wood]
