Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Ascribe \As*cribe"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Ascribed}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Ascribing}.] [L. ascribere, adscribere, to ascribe;
   ad + scribere to write: cf. OF. ascrire. See {Scribe}.]
   1. To attribute, impute, or refer, as to a cause; as, his
      death was ascribed to a poison; to ascribe an effect to
      the right cause; to ascribe such a book to such an author.

            The finest [speech] that is ascribed to Satan in the
            whole poem.                           --Addison.

   2. To attribute, as a quality, or an appurtenance; to
      consider or allege to belong.

   Syn: To {Ascribe}, {Attribute}, {Impute}.

   Usage: Attribute denotes, 1. To refer some quality or
          attribute to a being; as, to attribute power to God.
          2. To refer something to its cause or source; as, to
          attribute a backward spring to icebergs off the coast.
          Ascribe is used equally in both these senses, but
          involves a different image. To impute usually denotes
          to ascribe something doubtful or wrong, and hence, in
          general literature, has commonly a bad sense; as, to
          impute unworthy motives. The theological sense of
          impute is not here taken into view.

                More than good-will to me attribute naught.
                                                  --Spenser.

                Ascribes his gettings to his parts and merit.
                                                  --Pope.

                And fairly quit him of the imputed blame.
                                                  --Spenser.