inscription
UK: ɪnˈskrɪpʃən | US: ɪnˈskrɪpʃən
n. words or symbols carved, written, or printed on a surface (e.g., stone, metal, or paper)
n. the act of inscribing or recording something formally
The word "inscription" traces back to Latin inscriptio, derived from inscribere ("to write on or carve into"). The morpheme in- (into) combines with script (from scribere, "to write"), reflecting the physical act of marking surfaces. The suffix -ion nominalizes the action, turning it into a concrete noun. Historically, inscriptions were vital for recording laws, dedications, or memorials, linking the word to permanence and authority.
The ancient tomb bore an inscription in hieroglyphics.
She studied the inscription on the monument to decipher its date.
The ring had a tiny inscription inside the band.
Inscriptions on these tablets date back to 2000 BCE.
The artist added a hidden inscription to his painting.