Definition of ascribe

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as·cribe    (-skrb) KEY 

TRANSITIVE VERB:
as·cribed, as·crib·ing, as·cribes

1. To attribute to a specified cause, source, or origin: "Other people ascribe his exclusion from the canon to an unsubtle form of racism" (Daniel Pinchbeck). See Synonyms at attribute.
2. To assign as a quality or characteristic: was quick to ascribe jealousy to her critics.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English ascriben, from Old French ascrivre, from Latin ascrbere : ad-, ad- + scrbere, to write; see skrbh- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
a·scriba·ble(Adjective)