From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
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.
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The finest [speech] that is ascribed to Satan in the
whole poem. --Addison.
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2. To attribute, as a quality, or an appurtenance; to
consider or allege to belong.
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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.
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More than good-will to me attribute naught.
--Spenser.
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Ascribes his gettings to his parts and merit.
--Pope.
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And fairly quit him of the imputed blame.
--Spenser.
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