Written laws

Write Write, v. t. [imp. {Wrote}; p. p. {Written}; Archaic imp. & p. p. {Writ}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Writing}.] [OE. writen, AS. wr[=i]tan; originally, to scratch, to score; akin to OS. wr[=i]tan to write, to tear, to wound, D. rijten to tear, to rend, G. reissen, OHG. r[=i]zan, Icel. r[=i]ta to write, Goth. writs a stroke, dash, letter. Cf. {Race} tribe, lineage.] [1913 Webster] 1. To set down, as legible characters; to form the conveyance of meaning; to inscribe on any material by a suitable instrument; as, to write the characters called letters; to write figures. [1913 Webster]

2. To set down for reading; to express in legible or intelligible characters; to inscribe; as, to write a deed; to write a bill of divorcement; hence, specifically, to set down in an epistle; to communicate by letter. [1913 Webster]

Last night she enjoined me to write some lines to one she loves. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

I chose to write the thing I durst not speak To her I loved. --Prior. [1913 Webster]

3. Hence, to compose or produce, as an author. [1913 Webster]

I purpose to write the history of England from the accession of King James the Second down to a time within the memory of men still living. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]

4. To impress durably; to imprint; to engrave; as, truth written on the heart. [1913 Webster]

5. To make known by writing; to record; to prove by one's own written testimony; -- often used reflexively. [1913 Webster]

He who writes himself by his own inscription is like an ill painter, who, by writing on a shapeless picture which he hath drawn, is fain to tell passengers what shape it is, which else no man could imagine. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

{To write to}, to communicate by a written document to.

{Written laws}, laws deriving their force from express legislative enactment, as contradistinguished from unwritten, or common, law. See the Note under {Law}, and {Common law}, under {Common}, a. [1913 Webster]