Write

[imp. WROTE; p. p. WRIT, or WRITTEN; p. pr. & vb. n. WRITING.] [A-S. writan, gewritan, O. Sax. writan, to write, break, O. Fries. writa, Icel. & Sw. rita, to write, O. D. ryten, riden, to split, tear, D. rijten, L. Ger. riten, Ger. reissen, to split, Goth. writs, a stroke, dash, letter.]

1. To set down, as legible characters; to form for the conveyance of meaning; to inscribe on any material by a suitable instrument; as, to write the characters called letters; to write figures.
2. To set down for reading; to express in legible or intelligible characters; to inscribe; as, to write a deed; to write a bill of divorcement; hence, specifically, to set down in an epistle; to communicate by letter.

Last night she enjoined me to write some lines to one she loved. Shak. I chose to write the thing I durst not speak To her I loved. Prior. 3. Hence, to compose or produce, as an author. I purpose to write the history of England from the accession of King James the Second down to a time within the memory of men still living. Macaulay.

4. To impress durably; to engrave; as, truth written on the heart.
5. To make known by writing; to record; to prove by one’s own written testimony;—often used reflexively.

He who writes himself martyr by his own inscription is like an ill painter, who, by writing on a shapeless picture which he hath drawn, is fain to tell passengers what shape it is, which else no man could imagine. Milton. To write to, to communicate by a written document to. — Written laws, laws deriving their force from express legislative enactment, as contradistinguished from unwritten or common law. See LAW.