write
(raɪt)
v. wrote, writ•ten, writ•ing. v.t. 1. to trace or form (characters, letters, words, etc.), esp. on paper, with a pen, pencil, or other instrument or means: Write your name on each page.
2. to express or communicate in writing: He wrote that he would be visiting soon.
3. to communicate with by letter or note: I write her every week.
4. to fill in the blank spaces of (a printed form) with writing: to write a check.
5. to execute or produce by setting down words, figures, etc.: to write two copies of a letter.
6. to produce as a written message: to write a thank-you note.
7. to be the author or originator of; compose: to write a sonnet.
8. to impress the marks or indications of: Honesty is written on his face.
9. to transfer (data, text, etc.) from computer memory to an output medium.
10. to underwrite.
v.i. 11. to trace or form characters, words, etc., with a pen, pencil, or other instrument or means, or as a pen or the like does: He writes with a pen. My new pen writes beautifully.
12. to express ideas in writing.
13. to write a letter or letters, or communicate by letter: Write whenever you can.
14. to compose or work as a writer or author: to write for a living.
15. write down, a. to set down in writing; record; note.
b. to direct one's writing to a less intelligent reader or audience: He writes down to the public.
16. write in, a. to vote for (a candidate not listed on the ballot) by writing his or her name on the ballot.
b. to include in or add to a text by writing: Do not write in corrections on the galley.
c. to request something by mail: If interested, please write in for details.
17. write off, a. to cancel (an unpaid or uncollectible debt).
b. to regard as worthless or irreparable; decide to forget: to write off a bad experience.
c. to amortize: The new equipment was written off in three years.
18. write out, a. to put into writing.
b. to write in full form; state completely.
c. to exhaust the capacity or resources of (oneself) by excessive writing: another author who has written herself out.
19. write up, a. to put into writing, esp. in full detail: Write up a report.
b. to present to public notice in a written description or account.
Idioms: 1. nothing (or something) to write home about, nothing (or something) worth one's notice: This place is nothing to write home about.
2. write the book, to be the originator or recognized authority: I'd trust their judgment about nuclear energy; they practically wrote the book.
[before 900; Middle English; Old English wrītan, c. Old Saxon wrītan to cut, write, Old High German rīzan, Old Norse rīta]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.