Transcription

In biology, transciption refers to the production of a RNA sequence which is complemetary to a DNA sequence. This RNA sequence can either remain as RNA, or can go on to become a protein through translation.

In the process of transcription, a gene is transcribed to RNA and so it becomes expressed. The transcribed RNA either fulfills its function as tRNA, rRNA or other structural RNA, or it is used as a template for protein synthesis - this is so called matrix RNA. See also gene expression.

It is not uncommon, say, for J.S. Bach to take music written originally for the violin, and transcribe it for clavichord, to be played now on piano.

I have used the term to mean the changing of the medium from a novel to a movie. (I would have expected Webster 1913 to have thought of this.)

Tran*scrip"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. transcription, L. transcriptio a transfer.]

1.

The act or process of transcribing, or copying; as, corruptions creep into books by repeated transcriptions.

2.

A copy; a transcript.

Walton.

3. Mus.

An arrangement of a composition for some other instrument or voice than that for which it was originally written, as the translating of a song, a vocal or instrumental quartet, or even an orchestral work, into a piece for the piano; an adaptation; an arrangement; -- a name applied by modern composes for the piano to a more or less fanciful and ornate reproduction on their own instrument of a song or other piece not originally intended for it; as, Listzt's transcriptions of songs by Schubert.

© Webster 1913.