indite

present singular third person indites · participle present inditing · participle past indited · past indited · alternative endite

1. transitiveTo physically make (letters and words) on a writing surface; to inscribe.
2. transitiveTo write (something, especially a literary or artistic work); to compose.

   From a VVriter of Books, our Author is already dvvindled to a Preface-monger, and from Prefaces I am confident he may in a ſhort time be improved to endite Tickets for the Bear-Garden.

   1672, [Andrew Marvell], The Rehearsal Transpros’d: Or, Animadversions upon a Late Book, Entituled, A Preface, Shewing what Grounds there are of Fears and Jealousies of Popery, London: [s.n.], →OCLC, page 4

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   It is certain that the mere act of inditing tends, in a great degree, to the logicalisation of thought. Whenever, on account of its vagueness, I am dissatisfied with a conception of the brain, I resort forthwith to the pen, for the purpose of obtaining, through its aid, the necessary form, consequence, and precision.

   1844, E. A. Poe, Marginalia

   Sulíman now directed one of his ministers to indite a letter in the Chinese language to be sent to the Emperor of China to inform him of all these proceedings of Girdá towards the Prince of Rúm, and he then asked the Prince if he had been escorted by any chief enjoying the confidence of the Rájá of Rúm.

   1849, James Low, “A translation of the Keddah Annals termed Marong Mahawangsa”, in The Journal of the Indian archipelago and eastern Asia, volume 3, Singapore: G. M. Frederick, page 94

3. To dictate (something); to prompt.

   My heart is inditing a good matter.

   1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Psalms 45:1

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   Could a common grief have indited such expressions?

   a. 1717 (date written), Robert South, “(please specify the sermon number)”, in Five Additional Volumes of Sermons Preached upon Several Occasions. […], volume (please specify |volume=VII to XI), London: […] Charles Bathurst, […], published 1744, →OCLC

4. obsoleteTo ask or invite (someone).

   She vvill endite him to ſome ſupper.

   c. 1591–1595 (date written), [William Shakespeare], […] Romeo and Iuliet. […] (Second Quarto), London: […] Thomas Creede, for Cuthbert Burby, […], published 1599, →OCLC, [Act II, scene iv], signature E3, verso

5. obsoleteTo indict (someone); to accuse; to censure.

   the wonder that my wit cannot endite

   1595, Edmunde Spenser [i.e., Edmund Spenser], “(please specify the sonnet number or title)”, in Amoretti and Epithalamion. […], London: […] [Peter Short] for William Ponsonby, →OCLC

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   Two cases of cattle-stealing were dealt with, in which three natives were indited, two males, and one female. The two men were found guilty […]

   1901 October 11, “District Reports”, in The Agricultural Journal and Mining Record, volume 4, number 16, page 483

1. uncountablechemistryAn extremely rare indium-iron sulfide mineral.