inscribing

Inscribing is the act of writing, carving, or engraving words or symbols on a surface, often to record information, convey a dedication, or mark ownership. The term applies across art, archaeology, architecture, and everyday practice, covering inscriptions on stone monuments, metal plaques, wood surfaces, ceramics, or manuscripts.

Etymology: The word derives from Latin inscribere, "to write in or on," adopted into Old French as inscrire before entering English.

Contexts and techniques: In epigraphy, inscriptions provide historical data, from temple dedications and epitaphs to coin legends and tablets. In architecture and commemorative art, inscriptions identify dates, authors, or purposes. Practical methods include incising, carving, and engraving on stone or metal; etching, stamping, and modern laser or mechanical engraving on glass, wood, or ceramics.

In geometry, inscribing describes drawing a figure inside another so that all vertices lie on its boundary—for example, an inscribed polygon in a circle, with the circle circumscribing the polygon.