WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Sub*scrip"tion
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [L. subscriptio: cf. F. souscription.]
Definition : 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.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: That part of a prescription which contains the direction to the apothecary.

Defn: 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.

Note: 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.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913