scrip
C1/C2Formal, Historical, Financial/Technical
Definition
Meaning
A temporary or substitute document representing a claim to something, such as a certificate entitling the holder to stock, dividends, or land.
Historically, paper currency issued for temporary use, often by a corporation or in a local area. By extension, any form of temporary or improvised currency, voucher, or token.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word is specific and primarily used in historical or financial contexts. It implies something provisional, less formal, or less valuable than official currency or stock certificates.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. Usage is equally rare and specialized in both varieties.
Connotations
Connotes historical contexts (e.g., 19th-century mining companies) or temporary financial instruments.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general language. Slightly more likely to be encountered in American texts discussing the history of the Wild West or frontier economics.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Company/Government] issued scrip (to [holders])Scrip was issued (as [payment/compensation])To pay/receive in scripVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Scrip and scroll (archaic, rare)”
- “Scrip issue (financial: issuance of new shares to existing shareholders)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
In corporate finance, a 'scrip dividend' is an option where shareholders receive additional shares instead of a cash dividend.
Academic
Used in economic history papers to describe temporary or local currencies issued during periods of cash shortage.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
In finance, refers to a document representing a fractional or provisional share. In historical contexts, refers to company-issued currency.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The company chose to scrip the dividend, offering shares in lieu of cash.
American English
- The board voted to scrip the dividend payment this quarter.
adjective
British English
- The scrip issue was welcomed by investors seeking long-term growth.
American English
- He collected scrip certificates from defunct railroad companies.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The old mining company paid its workers in scrip, which could only be used at the company store.
- During the liquidity crisis, the town council issued local scrip to keep the economy functioning.
- Investors who elect for the scrip dividend will receive new shares at a 5% discount to the market price.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a SCRiP of paper that is a temporary SCRiPt for money – it's not real cash, just a promise.
Conceptual Metaphor
MONEY IS A DOCUMENT; VALUE IS A PROMISE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'скрипт' (script).
- Not related to 'scrap' (лом).
- Closer in meaning to 'расписка' (receipt/IOU) or 'временная ценная бумага' (temporary security).
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'script'.
- Using it as a general synonym for 'money'.
- Confusing 'scrip dividend' with a standard cash dividend.
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'scrip dividend'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Scrip' refers to a financial certificate or temporary currency. 'Script' refers to written text, like for a play or a computer program.
In its historical form (company-issued currency), it is obsolete. However, the term survives in modern finance in phrases like 'scrip dividend' or 'scrip issue'.
No, it is not legal tender. It is a substitute for money, only valuable within a specific context (e.g., a company, a local area) and by the agreement of the parties involved.
They are very similar. 'Scrip' often has a historical or financial connotation and can represent a claim to something like stock or land. A 'voucher' is more general and modern, often for a discount or a specific service/good.