Emily Dickinson Lexicon

WRITE, v.t. [pret. wrote; pp. writ, written. Sax. writan, awritan, gewritan; Ice. rita; Goth. writs, a letter. The sense is to scrape, to scratch, to rub; probably from the root of grate, and L. rado.]

1. To form by a pen on paper or other material, or by graver on wood or stone; as, to write the characters called letters; to write figures. We write characters on paper with pen and ink; we write them on stone with a graving tool.
2. To express by forming letters and words on paper or stone; as, to write a deed; to write a bill of divorcement. The ten commandments were written with the finger of God on tables of stone. – Exod. xxxi.
3. To engrave. [See the preceding definition.]
4. To impress durably. Write useful truths on the heart.
5. To compose or produce, as an author.
6. To copy; to transcribe.
7. To communicate by letter. I chose to write the thing I durst not speak / To her I lov'd. – Prior.