Forms: α. 6 endorce, 7– endorse. β. 7 indorce, 6– indorse. [Altered form of ME. endosse (see ENDOSS), assimilated to the equivalent med.L. indorsāre f. in upon + dorsum back, which was used in law-books in sense 1; cf. the OF. gloss ‘indorso, endorseir’ cited by Godef.
The form endorse is more frequent in commercial and general literary use, but indorse is more usual in law-books.]
I. To write on the back of something.
1. trans. To write on the back of (a document); to inscribe (words) on (the back of) a document. a. In general sense: e.g., to inscribe (a document) on the back with words indicating the nature of its contents, one’s opinion of its value, some extension or limitation of its provisions, etc. b. Comm. To sign one’s name on the back of (a bill, promissory note, or cheque). c. To endorse (a sum of money) off: to write on the back of a bill, etc., a receipt for a portion of its amount.
A bill, cheque, etc., payable ‘to order’ must be ‘endorsed’ by the payee before it can be paid. If endorsed in blank (i.e., without the addition of words making it payable to a particular person), it becomes payable ‘to bearer.’ Such documents may also be ‘endorsed’ by a subsequent holder, who thereby becomes responsible for their being paid (hence the fig. sense 2). Similarly, a bank note is often ‘endorsed’ to show that it has passed through the endorser’s hands.
α. [1381–1613. See ENDOSS.]
1581. Lambarde, Eiren., IV. vii. (1588), 518. He … should endorce his name vpon the backside of it.
1601–2. Fulbecke, 2nd Pt. Parall., 60 b. An obligation endorsed with this condition.
1686. Lond. Gaz., No. 2144/4. A Note … for 400l. … with 250l. Endorsed off. Ibid. (1706), No. 4207/4. A Bill drawn by Mr. Henry Jones … endorsed by John Spurstow and Robert Sparke.
1788. H. Walpole, Remin., ix. 72. Sir Robert always carried them to George II. who endorsed and returned them.
1838. Murray’s Handbk. N. Germ., Introd. 17. The traveller will naturally … not endorse them till he receives the money.
1865. Morning Star, 28 Jan. He would not now give the defendant the option of paying a fine, but would commit him for a month, and endorse that upon his licence.
1868. Rogers, Pol. Econ., xi. (1876), 148. The bill may be subsequently endorsed by a firm of high character.
β. 1547. Act 1 Edw. VI., c. 5 § 5. The said Wardens shall cause the Number of the said Horses … to be indorsed … on the Back-side of the said Licence.
1592. West, Symbol., A iij. With & vpon condition thereupon indorsed for the true performance of the couenants.
1685. Lond. Gaz., No. 2051/4. Those Gentlemen … are desired to Indorse their Names and Places of abode, on the backside of their Tickets.
1709. Tatler, No. 113, ¶ 18. A bundle of letters … indorsed … ‘Letters from the Old Gentleman.’
1777. Sheridan, Sch. Scand., III. ii. My friend Brush has indorsed it, and I thought … ’twas the same as cash.
1822. Scott, Nigel, x. Pointing out … the royal warrant indorsed thereon.
d. To make (a bill, note, cheque) payable to another person by endorsement. Also, To endorse over: to make over one’s rights in (a bill, etc.) to another person; also fig.
1866. Crump, Banking, 121–2. On indorsing a bill or note to another person, care should be taken [etc.].
1873. Burton, Hist. Scot., VI. lxix. 162. They would not have the king indorse over to his bishops or anybody else the reverence which they submitted to be due to himself.
2. fig. a. To confirm, sanction, countenance, or vouch for (statements, opinions, acts, etc.; occasionally, persons), as by an endorsement. Chiefly mod.; but perhaps implied in the punning quot. a. 1637, and in quot. 1633 in ENDORSEMENT 2.
α. [a. 1637. B. Jonson, To Earl Newcastle. Nay, so your seate his beauties did endorse As I began to wish myself a horse.]
1847. Emerson, Repr. Men, Montaigne, Wks. (Bohn), I. 344. This book of Montaigne the world has endorsed, by translating it into all tongues.
1861. Stanhope, Pitt, II. xxii. 404. Such were the statements of Mr. Fox, but is there at the present day even one man willing to endorse them?
1874. Morley, Compromise (1886), 67. Superstition does a little good by accidentally endorsing rational conclusions in one or two matters.
β. 1862. Bright, Sp. America, 18 Dec. The majority were supposed to indorse the policy.
1880. Carpenter, in 19th Cent., No. 38. 599. This conclusion I unhesitatingly indorsed.
1596. Nashe, Saffron Walden, 161. He endorseth him the puling Preacher of Pax vobis & humilitie.
c. 1645. Howell, Lett., IV. i. (R.). This perchance may be your policy, to endorse me your brothir.
II. To put something on the back. (Merely literary, and chiefly humorous or pedantic.)
3. a. To load the back of (an animal) with. b. To take (something) upon one’s back. c. To pile (something) upon.
1671. Milton, P. R., III. 329. Elephants indorsed with towers.
1808. J. Barlow, Columb., VI. 304. The freemen … Endorse their knapsacks.
1837. Blackw. Mag., XLII. 111. The heads of camels ‘endorsed’ with human beings.
1839. De Quincey, Recoll. Lakes, Wks. 1862, II. 98. Nightcaps, surmounted by handkerchiefs indorsed upon handkerchiefs.
4. To sit or ride on the back of (a horse). nonce-use (with pun on 2).
a. 1637. [see 2].
a. 1845. Hood, To Bad Rider, i. Why, Mr. Rider, why Your nag so ill indorse, man? Ibid., Desert-Born. I cannot ride—there’s something in a horse That I can always honour, but I never could endorse.
† b. To mount upon. Obs. rare–1.
1594. Carew, Tasso (1881), 63. The Painim troupe this while seekes to endorce, Defeated, flying, chac’d, the Citie wall.
III. 5. Her. In pa. pple. endorsed.
a. = ADDORSED); ‘borne or set back to back’ (Porny). b. Of a pale: Placed between two endorses. c. Of wings: Thrown backwards.
α. c. 1500. Sc. Poem Heraldry, 131, in Q. Eliz. Acad. (1869), 98. The ix regardand is; The x endorsit.
1572. Bossewell, Armorie, II. 42. Dors an Dors. i. Backe to Backe, or endorsed.
1611. Speed, Hist. Gt. Brit., V. iii. 14. His armes to be Gules, charged with two lyons rampant endorsed Ore.
1727. Bradley, Fam. Dict., s.v. Endorsed, When two Lions are born rampant, and turning their Backs to each other, the Heralds say they are endorsed.
1850. W. D. Cooper, Winchelsea, 161. A griffin passant, wings endorsed.
1864. [see ENDORSE sb.].
β. 1611. Cotgr., Addorsé, indorced; or, set backe to backe; a tearme of Blason.
1761. Brit. Mag., II. 581. Crest. On a wreath, a gryphon’s head couped … wings indorsed.
