I. To write back or in return, to reply in writing (freq. and class.).
A. In gen.: “antemeridianis tuis litteris heri statim rescripsi: nunc respondeo vespertinis,” Cic. Att. 13, 23, 1; so, “cui rei,” id. ib. 5, 12, 3; 13, 21, 1; cf.: “litterae mihi redditae sunt a Pompeio . . . ei statim rescripsi, non me quaerere, etc.,” id. ib. 8, 1, 2: “ad eam (epistulam) rescribam igitur,” id. ib. 4, 16, 1: “ad litteras,” id. ib. 14, 21, 1: “ad ea, quae requisieras,” id. ib. 12, 21; cf.: “tibi ad ea quae quaeris,” id. Fam. 1, 9, 2: “ad Trebatium,” id. Att. 7, 17, 4: “Pompeius rescripserat, sese, etc.,” Caes. B. C. 1, 19: “tibi meam (epistulam), quam ad eum rescripseram, misi,” Cic. Att. 13, 6, 3: “debes hoc etiam rescribere,” Hor. Ep. 1, 3, 30: rescribere veteribus orationibus, to write against, reply to, ἀντιγράφειν, Quint. 10, 5, 20; so, “orationibus,” Suet. Caes. 73: “oratorum actionibus,” id. Calig. 53: “cujus libris de Orthographiā,” id. Gram. 19; cf.: “rescripta Bruto de Catone,” id. Aug. 85: “nil mihi rescribas,” Ov. H. 1, 2: “non rescribendi gloria visa levis,” id. ib. 17, 2: “orationem,” Tac. A. 4, 34 (in Cic. Tusc. 4, 2, 3, descriptos is the true read.).—
B. In partic.
1. Polit. and jurid. t. t., of emperors or lawyers, to answer in writing a petition or legal question; to give a rescript or a judicial decision: “Tiberio pro cliente Graeco petenti rescripsit (Augustus), non aliter se daturum quam si, etc.,” Suet. Aug. 40; 45; 51; id. Tib. 30; 32; id. Claud. 5; id. Ner. 40; Dig. 1, 16, 4 fin.; ib. 18, 1, 71 al.— Hence, rēscriptum , i, n., subst., an imperial rescript, Tac. A. 6, 15 (9): “quaesitum est, an adversus rescriptum principis provocari possit,” Dig. 49, 1, 1: “quod et Herennio Modestino studioso meo de Dalmatiā consulenti rescripsi,” ib. 47, 2, 53, § 20; 40, 4, 46; 40, 7, 29 al.—
2. In account-books, to make an entry per contra; to place to one's credit; hence, i. q. to pay back, repay: “illud mihi Argentum rursum jube rescribi,” Ter. Phorm. 5, 7, 29; Plaut. As. 2, 4, 34: “qui de residuis CCCC. HS. CC. praesentia solverimus, reliqua rescribamus,” will place to his credit, will pay hereafter, Cic. Att. 16, 2, 1: “dictantis, quod tu numquam rescribere possis,” Hor. S. 2, 3, 76: “Darios,” Aus. Ep. 5, 23.—
II. To write over again, write anew (not anteAug.): Pollio Asinius parum diligenter compositos putat (Caesaris commentarios), existimatque rescripturum et correcturum fuisse, i. e. to revise (syn. retractare), Suet. Caes. 56: “actiones,” Plin. Ep. 5, 8, 7; cf. id. ib. 7, 9, 5; 8, 21, 6.—
2. In partic., in milit. lang., to enroll anew, to re-enlist: “rescriptae ex eodem milite novae legiones,” Liv. 9, 10.—
3. In milit. lang., to transfer from one kind of troops to another: “Caesarem decimam legionem ad equum rescribere,” Caes. B. G. 1, 42 fin.