Etymology: < scrieve v.¹ (compare forms at that entry). Compare scribe n.² which is attested earlier in senses corresponding to senses 1, 3, and 4.With sense 2a compare screen n.²

Etymology: Partly (i) < Anglo-Norman and Middle French escriv-, stem (e.g. in present plural and present subjunctive) of Anglo-Norman escrier , also escrivre, escriver, Anglo-Norman and Middle French escrire (French écrire ) to write, set out in writing (11th cent. in Old French), to draw, paint, decorate (11th cent.), to describe (c1174), to enrol (c1174), to engrave, inscribe (13th cent.) < classical Latin scrībere (see scribe v.), and partly (ii) shortened < descrive v. (compare discussion of forms at that entry); compare also inscrive v. In some Scots use (e.g. in Shetland) perhaps also reflecting the influence of early Scandinavian (compare Old Icelandic skrifa to write, and other Scandinavian forms cited at shrive v.). However, the word is not well attested in Older Scots, and in modern use may have been partly re-formed after scribe v.Compare Old Occitan escriure (c1100), Catalan escriure (13th cent.), Spanish escribir (1100), Portuguese escrever (13th cent.), Italian scrivere (13th cent.). With the variation in forms compare discussion at descrive v. In past participle form scriven probably after riven, past participle of rive v.¹

Etymology: Origin uncertain. Perhaps the reflex of a borrowing < early Scandinavian (compare Old Icelandic skrefa to stride, pace: see screeve v.³).