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se; to render illegible or indiscernible; as, to efface the letters on a monument, or the inscription on a coin.

To cut with a graving instrument in order to form an inscription or pictorial representation; to carve figures; to mark with incisions. Like . . . . a signet thou engrave the two stones with the names of the children of Israel. Ex. xxviii. 11.

Any inscription set upon a building; especially, one which has to do with the building itself, its founding or dedication.

The science of inscriptions; the art of engraving inscriptions or of deciphering them.

An inscription on, or at, a tomb, or a grave, in memory or commendation of the one buried there; a sepulchral inscription. Hang her an epitaph upon her tomb. Shak.

ing to the ancient town of Eugubium (now Gubbio); as, the Eugubine tablets, or tables, or inscriptions.

An inscription, label, or the like, in a book indicating its ownership; esp., a bookplate.

Inscriptions, figure drawings, etc., found on the walls of ancient sepulchers or ruins, as in the Catacombs, or at Pompeii.

Written or engraved; formed of letters or lines. The finger of God hath left an inscription upon all his works, not graphical, or composed of letters. Sir T. Browne.

A stone laid over, or erected near, a grave, usually with an inscription, to preserve the memory of the dead; a tombstone.

ion of wax and lampblack, used by shoemakers for polishing, and by antiquaries in copying inscriptions.

eatise on sacred things; especially, the science which treats of the ancient writings and inscriptions of the Egyptians, or a treatise on that science.

or people; as, the Himjaritic characters, language, etc.; applied esp. to certain ancient inscriptions showing the primitive type of the oldest form of the Arabic, still spoken in Southern Arabia. Brande & C.

in the north they developed a considerable civilization, of which numerous monuments and inscriptions are extant. Authorities are not agreed as to their race. While several attempts have been made to decipher the Hittite characters, little progress has yet been made.

Incapable of being read; not legible; as, illegible handwriting; an illegible inscription. -- Il*leg"i*ble*ness, n. -- Il*leg"i*bly, adv.

Bearing inscription; of the character or nature of an inscription.

Inscription. [Obs.]

An engraving, carving, or inscription. [Obs.] On his gravestone this insculpture. Shak.

A slip of silk, paper, parchment, etc., affixed to anything, usually by an inscription, the contents, ownership, destination, etc.; as, the label of a bottle or a package.

Of or pertaining to monumental inscriptions; as, lapidary adulation. Lapidary style, that style which is proper for monumental and other inscriptions; terse; sententious.