v. [ad. late L. superscrībĕre, f. super- SUPER- 2 + scrībĕre to write. Cf. It. soprascrivere, Sp. sobrescribir, Pg. sobrescrever.]
1. trans. To inscribe or mark with writing on the surface or upper part; to write upon; to put an inscription on or over.
What is superscribed is usually denoted by a compl.; but it occas. forms the subject of the vb.
1605. R. Carew, in Lett. Lit. Men (Camden), 99. A Booke … which was by the Statyoner superscribed on the backe … to Mr. Camden.
1624. Bp. Hall, True Peacemaker, in Var. Treat. (1627), 543. He who hath graciously said all this while, ‘Da pacem, Domine’ (Give peace in our time, O Lord!) may superscribe at the last his iust trophees with ‘Blessed be the Lord which teacheth my hands to warre, and my fingers to fight!’
1651. Cleveland, Poems, 24. No Fellon is more letter’d, though the brand Both superscribes his shoulder and his hand.
1705. Addison, Italy (1733), 54. A stone superscrib’d Lapis Vituperii.
1712. Steele, Spect., No. 423, ¶ 4. He received a Message … superscribed With Speed.
a. 1901. W. Bright, Age Fathers (1903), I. ii. 19–20. A sealed packet with a leather covering, superscribed, ‘Statement of the Catholic Church [etc.].’
2. spec. To write a name, address or direction on the outside or cover of; to address (a letter, etc.) to a person. (Also with compl.) arch.
1598. [see superscribed below].
1617. Donne, Serm. 2 Nov. (1661), III. 97. There is Gospel, but not preached to them; there are Epistles, but not superscribed to them.
1665. Manley, Grotius’ Low C. Wars, 374. The Emperour sent Letters soon after, superscribed to the States of Holland.
1738. in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. I. 516. You forgot to superscribe your Letter to me, which puzzled Mr. Waters a little how to send it.
1825. Macaulay, Ess., Milton (1897), 1. The whole was wrapped up in an envelope, superscribed To Mr. Skinner, Merchant.
1906. E. A. Abbott, Silanus, xxxiii. 323. Scaurus usually superscribed his letters to me with his own hand.
b. To write (a name or address) upon a letter.
1728. Fielding, Love in Sev. Masques, IV. iv. This Letter, I did, indeed, write, but not to you…. His Name to whom I designed it is erased, and yours superscribed.
3. To write one’s name at the head of a document: opposed to SUBSCRIBE 1. a. with the name as obj.
1611. Speed, Hist. Gt. Brit., IX. xxi. § 67. The aforesaid Noble Prince hath superscribed his name; and the witnesses … haue subscribed their names.
a. 1661. Fuller, Worthies, Surrey (1662), III. 78. I perceive that Princes, when writing to Princes subscribe their names, and generally superscribe them to subjects.
b. with the document as obj. (also with compl.).
1775. L. Shaw, Hist. Moray, IV. 179. Our Kings never did subscribe their charters … and of late they superscribe them.
1826. Scott, Woodst., xxxviii. The lines forwarded by … Dr. Rochecliffe, superscribed in small letters, C. R., and subscribed Louis Kerneguy.
1845. Ld. Campbell, Chancellors, I. Introd. 25. This [bill of proposed patent] … is superscribed by the sovereign, and sealed with the Privy Signet.
1863. H. Cox, Instit., III. vi. 669. The King’s signet, used in sealing all grants superscribed by the Royal sign-manual.
4. To write (a letter or word) above another, or above the line of writing.
1776. [see superscribed below].
1861. Paley, Æschylus (ed. 2), Pers., 757, note. Hermann has edited ὲξερήμωσεν πέσος…. He explains a various reading πεσσὸν by supposing σ was superscribed to correct the final ν.
1887. Horstmann, Early S. Eng. Leg., 93. Soule, note1 superscribed later.
Hence Superscribed ppl. a.; Superscribing vbl. sb.
1598. Marston, Pigmal., Sat., i. 137. Why … Lett’st thou a superscribed letter fall?
a. 1631. Donne, Valed. my Name, x. In superscribinge, my name flowe Into thy fancy from thy pane.
1776. J. Richardson, Arab. Gram., iv. 14. They assume … the sound of such superscribed vowels.
1861. Paley, Æschylus (ed. 2), Prometh., 694, note. Κρήνην, with a superscribed α as a variant for κρήναν or κράναν.
