Endite

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To set down in written words, especially to compose a letter, document or formal piece of writing
2. To write out or commit thoughts to paper in a formal or literary manner
3. Composing something in writing, often a formal document, letter or poem, as an archaic term for writing

Etymology: "Endite" is an archaic verb meaning to put into writing or to compose a document, and it is a near-twin of "indite." The two words come from the same Middle English source: "indite" was borrowed from Old French "enditer," which traces back to Latin "indicere," meaning to proclaim or announce. The "end-" form is a variant spelling that took hold in English, and the "-ite" ending that both words share is the same one found in the older verb. The "end-" spelling reflects a common medieval pattern in which the prefix "in-" was written as "en-" or "end-" before certain consonants. Because both spellings were in circulation for centuries, English writers could choose either, and "endite" survived alongside "indite" as an alternative rather than replacing it. Both verbs describe the act of setting words down on paper, often in a formal or literary register.

Synonyms: compose, write, indite