scrip

¹

[ skrip ]

noun

1. a receipt, certificate, list, or similar brief piece of writing.
2. a scrap of paper.
3. Finance.
   1. a certificate representing a fraction of a share of stock.
   2. a certificate to be exchanged for goods, as at a company store.
   3. a certificate indicating the right of the holder to receive payment later in the form of cash, goods, or land.
4. paper currency in denominations of less than one dollar, formerly issued in the United States.

scrip

²

[ skrip ]

noun

, Archaic.

1. a bag or wallet carried by wayfarers.

scrip

³

[ skrip ]

noun

, Informal.

1. a prescription, as for a drug.

scrip

¹

/ skrɪp /

noun

1. a written certificate, list, etc
2. a small scrap, esp of paper with writing on it
3. finance
   1. a certificate representing a claim to part of a share of stock
   2. the shares allocated in a bonus issue

scrip

²

/ skrɪp /

noun

1. informal.
   a medical prescription

scrip

³

/ skrɪp /

noun

1. archaic.
   a small bag or wallet, as carried by pilgrims

Other Words From

• scripless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of scrip¹

First recorded in 1610–20; earliest sense “scrap of paper” perhaps a variant of scrap ¹; subsequent sense development shows influence of script and subscription, with scrip ¹def 3a specifically a shortening of subscription receipt

Origin of scrip²

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English scrip(pe), skreppe “bag, satchel, pilgrim's purse,” from Old French escharpe, escherpe, escreppe, Medieval Latin scrippa, scrippum, scerpa, schrippa “pilgrim's pack,” via Frankish from Latin scirpea “large reed basket,” derivative of scirpus “reed, bulrush”

Origin of scrip³

First recorded in 1915–20; shortening of prescription

Word History and Origins

Origin of scrip¹

C18: in some senses, probably from script ; otherwise, short for subscription receipt

Origin of scrip²

C20: short for prescription

Origin of scrip³

C14: from Old French escreppe, variant of escarpe scarf ¹

Example Sentences

Buying prescription drugs without a scrip is a serious legal offense, as Rush Limbaugh could tell you.

From The Daily Beast

Part of it was covered by scrip, a few quarters were taken by war settlers, the balance by speculators.

From Project Gutenberg

The village pastor delivered the staff into his hands, girded him with a scarf, and attached to it a leathern scrip.

From Project Gutenberg

He was a fated man from that moment; his life was not worth three cents in Confederate scrip.

From Project Gutenberg

The output is seized in its entirety, and not limited to the extent accruing to British scrip holders only.

From Project Gutenberg

A broad leather strap hanging from his shoulder supported a scrip or satchel such as travellers were wont to carry.

From Project Gutenberg