An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics
English-French-Persian

1) Math.: An → index (a digit or symbol) written under and to the right of a letter for representing terms in a → sequence or → series, or indicating variable components in → tensor analysis. → superscript.
2) Chemistry: Such a number occurring in a chemical formula.

From L. subscriptus, p.p. of subscribere "to write underneath," from → sub- "underneath" + scribere "to write," → describe.

Zirnevešt, from zir-, → sub-, + nevešt "written," from neveštan, nevis- "to write;" Mid.Pers. nibištan, nibes- "to write;" Av./O.Pers. nī- "down; in, into," → ni- (PIE), + paēs- "to paint; to adorn," paēsa- "adornment" (Mid.Pers. pēsīdan "to adorn"); O.Pers. pais- "to adorn, cut, engrave" (Mod.Pers. pisé "variegated"); cf. Skt. piśáti "adorns; cuts;" Gk. poikilos "multicolored;" L. pingit "embroiders, paints;" O.C.S. pisati "to write;" O.H.G. fēh "multicolored;" Lith. piēšti "to draw, adorn;" PIE base *peik- "colored, speckled."

1) A sum of money given or pledged as a contribution, payment, investment, etc. 2) The right to receive a periodical for a sum paid, usually for an agreed number of issues (Dictionary.com).

→ subscribe; → -tion.