inscription
    n 1: letters inscribed (especially words engraved or carved) on
         something [syn: inscription, lettering]
    2: a short message (as in a book or musical work or on a
       photograph) dedicating it to someone or something [syn:
       dedication, inscription]
    3: the activity of inscribing (especially carving or engraving)
       letters or words

Inscription \In*scrip"tion\, n. [L. inscriptio, fr. inscribere,
   inscriptum, to inscribe: cf. F. inscription. See Inscribe.]
   1. The act or process of inscribing.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. That which is inscribed; something written or engraved;
      especially, a word or words written or engraved on a solid
      substance for preservation or public inspection; as,
      inscriptions on monuments, pillars, coins, medals, etc.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. (Anat.) A line of division or intersection; as, the
      tendinous inscriptions, or intersections, of a muscle.
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   4. An address, consignment, or informal dedication, as of a
      book to a person, as a mark of respect or an invitation of
      patronage.
      [1913 Webster]

INSCRIPTION, civil law. An engagement which a person, who makes a solemn 
accusation of a crime against another, enters into, that he will suffer the 
same punishment, if he has accused, the other falsely, which would have been 
inflicted upon him had he been guilty. Code, 9, 1, 10; Id. 9, 2, 16 and 17. 

INSCRIPTION, evidence. Something written or engraved.
     2. Inscriptions upon tombstones and other proper places, as rings, and 
the like, are held to be evidence of pedigree. Bull. N. P. 233 Cowp. 591; 10 
East, R. 120 13 Ves. 145 Vin. Ab. Ev. T. b. 87: 3 Stark. Ev. 116. 

INSCRIPTION, n.  Something written on another thing.  Inscriptions are
of many kinds, but mostly memorial, intended to commemorate the fame
of some illustrious person and hand down to distant ages the record of
his services and virtues.  To this class of inscriptions belongs the
name of John Smith, penciled on the Washington monument.  Following
are examples of memorial inscriptions on tombstones:  (See EPITAPH.)

    "In the sky my soul is found,
    And my body in the ground.
    By and by my body'll rise
    To my spirit in the skies,
    Soaring up to Heaven's gate.
            1878."

    "Sacred to the memory of Jeremiah Tree.  Cut down May 9th, 1862,
aged 27 yrs. 4 mos. and 12 ds.  Indigenous."

        "Affliction sore long time she boar,
            Phisicians was in vain,
        Till Deth released the dear deceased
            And left her a remain.
    Gone to join Ananias in the regions of bliss."

    "The clay that rests beneath this stone
    As Silas Wood was widely known.
    Now, lying here, I ask what good
    It was to let me be S. Wood.
    O Man, let not ambition trouble you,
    Is the advice of Silas W."

    "Richard Haymon, of Heaven.  Fell to Earth Jan. 20, 1807, and had
the dust brushed off him Oct. 3, 1874."