Middle English word schriven comes from Proto-Indo-European *(s)kreybʰ-, Proto-Indo-European *skreybʰ-, and later Proto-Italic *skreiβō (To carve.)
| Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| *(s)kreybʰ- | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | |
| *skreybʰ- | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | |
| *skreiβō | Proto-Italic (itc-pro) | To carve. |
| scriptum | Latin (lat) | Text; anything written. |
| *skrībaną | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | To write. |
| scrifan | Old English (ang) | Of a priest, to prescribe penance or absolution. To decree, appoint. To pass judgement, ordain, prescribe. |
| sċrīfan | Old English (ang) | |
| schriven | Middle English (enm) |