Sub*scrip"tion (?), n. [L. subscriptio: cf. F. souscription.] 1. The act of subscribing.
2. That which is subscribed. Specifically: (a) A paper to which a signature is attached. (b) The signature attached to a paper. (c) Consent or attestation by underwriting the name. (d) Sum subscribed; amount of sums subscribed; as, an individual subscription to a fund.
3. Eccl. The acceptance of articles, or other tests tending to promote uniformity; esp. Ch. of Eng., formal assent to the Thirty-nine Articles and the Book of Common Prayer, required before ordination.
4. Submission; obedience. [Obs.]
You owe me no subscription.
Shak.
5. Pharm. That part of a prescription which contains the direction to the apothecary.
A method of purchasing items produced periodically in a series, as newspapers or magazines, in which a certain number of the items are delivered as produced, without need for ordering each item individually; also, the purchase thus executed.
The right to attend a series of public performances of ballet, opera, or music are also often sold by subscription. The payment for a subscription may be made prior to delivery of any items (common with magazines and performances), or after a certain number of the items have been delivered (common with newspapers or works of art produced in a series).
7. An application to purchase a certain number of securities to be delivered when they are newly issued. -->
© Webster 1913. | 
