'ascribe' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'ascribere,' where 'ad-' (assimilated to 'as-') meant 'to, toward' and 'scribere' meant 'to write.'

'ascribe' changed from Latin 'ascribere' into Old French/Middle French forms (e.g. 'ascrire') and Middle English adaptations (e.g. 'ascryben'/'ascriven'), eventually becoming the modern English word 'ascribe'.

Initially, it meant 'to write to or assign in writing,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to attribute or assign (a quality, cause, or work) to someone or something.'