Word
writ
US/ˈɹɪt/
UK/ɹˈɪt/
Definitions
01legal order
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Law Formal · Technical
n. an official document from a court that tells someone they must do something or stop doing something.
n. a formal written document, issued in the name of a court or other legal authority, commanding the addressee to perform or cease a specific act.
“The court issued a writ to stop the company from building on the protected land.”
“The high court issued a writ of habeas corpus, requiring the authorities to bring the prisoner before a judge to determine the legality of their detention.”
Usage
Often used with the verb 'serve' or 'issue'.
02authority or power
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Literary · Formal
n. the power or authority that a person or organization has to make people obey.
n. the extent of one's power, authority, or jurisdiction to enforce compliance or influence events.
“The king's power was weak, and his writ did not run in the far north of the country.”
“In the lawless border regions, the central government's writ barely runs, leaving local warlords to dictate their own terms of trade.”
Usage
Commonly used in the phrase 'where someone's writ runs'.
Synonyms
03election order
C1 · Advanced Countable noun British English · Formal
n. a formal document that officially starts an election process.
n. a formal document issued by a head of state or administrative body directing that an election be held.
“The Prime Minister is expected to drop the writ for a general election next week.”
“Once the writ is issued, the formal campaign period begins and the date for the national vote is set in stone.”
Usage
Commonly used in the phrase 'drop the writ' or 'issue the writ'.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Blackerby: Launch, as you well know, is the big issue around the industry writ large.” “It was geopolitics writ cleverly small, but love and laughter were able to find their place alongside struggle.” Etymology
From Middle English writ, from Old English writ and ġewrit (“writing”), from Proto-Germanic writą (“fissure, writing”), from Proto-Indo-European wrey-, *wrī- (“to scratch, carve, ingrave”). Cognate with Scots writ (“writ, writing, handwriting”), Icelandic rit (“writing, writ, literary work, publication”).
From Middle English writ, write, from Old English write.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
01. drop the writ
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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