English Reference
noun · adjective

manuscript

n. · adj.
US /ˈmænjəsˌkɹɪpt/ UK /mˈænjuːskɹˌɪpt/ man·u·script UK spelling manuscript's, manuscript's

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

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

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

    Simple

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

    In context

    After years of research, the professor finally submitted the completed manuscript to the university press for peer review.

  2. 02 C1 Advanced Formal

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

    n.a historical document or book written by hand, typically referring to those produced before the invention of the printing press.

    Simple

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

    In context

    Scholars spent decades studying the medieval manuscript to understand the evolution of the local dialect.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced Formal

    adj.describes something that is written by hand rather than printed.

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

    Simple

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

    In context

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

    handwrittenholograph

Researchers can now recover DNA from centuries-old parchment without damaging the manuscripts, turning historic documents into unexpected genetic time capsules.

ScienceDaily· 11 Aug 2026

One tapestry shows Manuzio asleep in his canopied bed, a little dog curled by his side, being visited by an angel in his dreams as the air teems with winged books and manuscripts.

The Guardian· 11 Aug 2026

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.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin la-med manūscrīptus
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Frequent
Updated