rescript

noun

re·script ˈrē-ˌskript

Synonyms of rescript next

: a written answer of a Roman emperor or of a pope to a legal inquiry or petition

: an official or authoritative order, decree, edict, or announcement

: an act or instance of rewriting

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When Should You Use rescript?

Rescript was first used in the 15th century for the written reply of a sovereign or pope to a question about some matter of law or state, and then for any type of authoritative declaration. Since the 19th century, however, it has also seen use as a synonym of rewrite. Charlotte Brontë, for one, used the word this way in her novel Villette. "I wrote [the letter] three times ... subduing the phrases at every rescript," her narrator confesses.

Examples of rescript in a Sentence

even though there was never an official rescript ordering mass genocide, that was indeed the intent and effect of the government's policy

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

The rescript—an authoritative message from an emperor—was rediscovered in the 1700s and is now on display in Spello’s town hall, reports Newsweek’s Aristos Georgiou. —

Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Jan. 2024 Soon, Duke writes, the rescript became associated with Japanese nationalism, a reverence for a divine emperor and a strict educational system. —

Erin Blakemore, Smithsonian, 10 Apr. 2017 At the time, the rescript served an important purpose. —

Erin Blakemore, Smithsonian, 10 Apr. 2017 Soon, Duke writes, the rescript became associated with Japanese nationalism, a reverence for a divine emperor and a strict educational system. —

Erin Blakemore, Smithsonian, 10 Apr. 2017 Conservatives see the rescript as a paean to traditional values; liberals as a throwback to a more authoritarian era. —

Jonathan Soble, Orange County Register, 25 Feb. 2017

Word History

Etymology

Middle English rescripte, from Latin rescriptum, from neuter of rescriptus, past participle of rescribere to write in reply, from re- + scribere to write — more at scribe

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of rescript was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century