Ascribed
/əˈskraɪbd/
verbIntermediateCommonLiterature
Meaning
Question
Definitions
1
To attribute something to a cause, source, or author.
/əˈskraɪbd/
verbneutralIntermediate
Literature
To attribute something to (a cause or source)
The painting was ascribed to a little-known artist.
💡 Simply: To say that something is caused by something else.
More Examples
2
His success was ascribed to his hard work and determination.
How It's Used
Academic
"The researchers ascribed the increased incidence of the disease to environmental factors."
Historical
"Many achievements are often wrongly ascribed to the wrong individuals."
From Middle English *ascriben, from Old French *ascrivre, from Latin *ascribere (to write to, add to), from ad- + scribere (to write).
The word 'ascribe' has maintained a relatively consistent meaning throughout its history, primarily focused on attribution.
Memory tip
Think 'ascribe' as 'assign' or 'attribute'
Practice
Base: scribe
ascribeddascrbiedascribd
Usage
10%Spoken
90%Written