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manuscript

n. · adj.
US //ˈmænjəsˌkɹɪpt// UK //mˈænjuːskɹˌɪpt// man·u·script
  1. 1 original author's copy (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the original version of a book, article, or piece of music that an author has written but not yet published.

    the original text of an author's work, whether handwritten, typed, or digital, submitted for copy-editing and eventual publication.

    Example

    The author sent the final manuscript of her new novel to the publisher yesterday.

    Example

    After years of research, the professor finally submitted the completed manuscript to the university press for peer review.
  2. 2 handwritten historical document (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    a very old book or document that was written by hand before printing was invented.

    a historical document or book written by hand, typically referring to those produced before the invention of the printing press.

    Example

    The museum has a famous manuscript from the tenth century on display.

    Example

    Scholars spent decades studying the medieval manuscript to understand the evolution of the local dialect.
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  1. 3 written by hand (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    describes something that is written by hand rather than printed.

    written by hand or manually typewritten, as opposed to being mechanically or digitally reproduced.

    Example

    The library keeps several manuscript letters written by the famous poet.

    Example

    The archive contains a wealth of manuscript notes that provide insight into the scientist's early experimental process.
Etymology 1

1597, from Medieval Latin manūscrīptus, a calque of Germanic origin, equivalent to Latin manū (ablative of manus (“hand”)) + Latin scrīptus (past participle of scribere (“to write”)). Not found in Classical Latin.

Etymology 2

From Medieval Latin manūscrīptum (“writing by hand”), a calque of Germanic origin: compare Middle Low German hantschrift (“manuscript, document”), Middle Dutch hantscrift (“manuscript”) (c. 1451), Old High German hantgiskrīb (“handwriting, document, manuscript”), Middle High German hantschrift, hantgeschrift (“manuscript”) (c. 1450), Old English handġewrit (“what is written by hand, deed, contract, manuscript”) (before 1150), Old Norse handrit (“manuscript”) (before 1300). Not found in Classical Latin.

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