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sub·scribe

(səb-scrīb)

v. sub·scribed, sub·scrib·ing, sub·scribes

v.tr.

1. To pledge or contribute (a sum of money).

a. To sign (one's name) at the end of a document, especially to attest to or authenticate it.

b. To sign one's name to (a document) in attestation, testimony, or consent: subscribe a will.

3. To purchase or claim the shares of (a new issue of stock, bonds, or other securities): a bond offering that is fully subscribed.

v.intr.

a. To contract to receive and pay for a certain number of issues of a publication, for access to a website that is protected by a paywall, for tickets to a series of events or performances, or for a utility service, for example.

b. To agree to an ongoing arrangement by which one receives online content, as from a specific website or a specific user on a website.

2. To promise to pay or contribute money: subscribe to a charity.

3. To purchase or claim shares of a new issue of stock, bonds, or other securities: an investor who subscribed for 100 shares.

4. To feel or express hearty approval: I subscribe to your opinion. See Synonyms at assent.

5. To sign one's name to a document.

[Middle English subscriben, to sign, from Latin subscrībere : sub-, sub- + scrībere, to write; see skrībh- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

sub·scriber n.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

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