Ascribe \As*cribe"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Ascribed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Ascribing}.] [L. ascribere, adscribere, to ascribe; ad + scribere to write: cf. OF. ascrire. See {Scribe}.] 1. To attribute, impute, or refer, as to a cause; as, his death was ascribed to a poison; to ascribe an effect to the right cause; to ascribe such a book to such an author.
The finest [speech] that is ascribed to Satan in the whole poem. --Addison.
2. To attribute, as a quality, or an appurtenance; to consider or allege to belong.
Syn: To {Ascribe}, {Attribute}, {Impute}.
Usage: Attribute denotes, 1. To refer some quality or attribute to a being; as, to attribute power to God. 2. To refer something to its cause or source; as, to attribute a backward spring to icebergs off the coast. Ascribe is used equally in both these senses, but involves a different image. To impute usually denotes to ascribe something doubtful or wrong, and hence, in general literature, has commonly a bad sense; as, to impute unworthy motives. The theological sense of impute is not here taken into view.
More than good-will to me attribute naught. --Spenser.
Ascribes his gettings to his parts and merit. --Pope.
And fairly quit him of the imputed blame. --Spenser.
They ascribe this to the fact that "all our pieces are now in place in the Middle East, and there hasn't been some unforeseen blow-up," such as a terrorist attack on U.S. targets.
But bankers ascribe it to the continuing effects of Mexico's debt-for-equity swap program and to the recently executed debt-for-bond swap.
I can understand that the diligent and solemn scholars who prepared the reports mentioned above would not wish to ascribe general dementia to those who are involved in our financial markets.
It would be wrong to ascribe the attack of nerves afflicting Wall Street to selling by Japanese investors anxious to offset losses in their domestic market.
They only wish they had the kind of power to "plant" articles that the Scientologists ascribe to Mr. Sorrell and WPP.
American officials and traders now ascribe the decline to two main factors: the Fed's lack of convincing visibility in the markets and public statements by Chief White House Economic Adviser Beryl Sprinkel.
Many scholars ascribe to him the biblical epistle of James with its call to apply Jesus' teachings in deeds.
They ascribe to his belief that the best way to acquire furniture is "to buy something wonderful and keep it for your whole life and then pass it on to your children.
Conversely, men in women's clothes lose their authority and become figures of fun.' It is tempting to ascribe serious sociological motives to 1992's rash of cross-dressing.