scribe

/skraɪb/

/skraɪb/

Other forms: scribes; scribed; scribing

A scribe is a term for someone employed to make written copies of documents. Before printing was invented, the busy scribes in a village would write copies of all the legal documents.

As a noun, scribe has several meanings. It's used as an informal term to refer to journalists. Scribe also refers to a sharply pointed tool used for marking wood or metal to be cut. As a verb, it means "to score a line on something with a pointed instrument." The master craftsmen instructed you to scribe a line on the piece of wood where he pointed, to mark the spot where he wanted it cut.

Definitions of scribe

1. noun

   someone employed to make written copies of documents and manuscripts
   synonyms: copyist, scrivener

   examples:

   Ezra

   a Jewish priest and scribe sent by the Persian king to restore Jewish law and worship in Jerusalem

   type of:

   employee

   a worker who is hired to perform a job
2. noun

   informal terms for journalists
   synonyms: penman, scribbler

   type of:

   journalist

   a writer for newspapers and magazines
3. noun

   a sharp-pointed awl for marking wood or metal to be cut
   synonyms: scratch awl, scriber

   type of:

   awl

   a pointed tool for marking surfaces or for punching small holes
4. verb

   score a line on with a pointed instrument, as in metalworking
   type of:

   mark, nock, score

   make small marks into the surface of