manuscript

MAN-yuh-skript/ˈmæn.jəˌskɹɪpt/

Pluralmanuscripts

3 meanings of manuscript

1
nouncountable
A book or paper written by hand, or typed by a person, instead of printed by a machine.
Like a letter you write by hand instead of printing one from a computer.
The old manuscript had beautiful pictures painted along its edges.
She found a fragile manuscript hidden in her grandfather's attic.
Note
2
nouncountable
The original copy of a book or article that a writer sends to a publisher.
Like the first copy of your story that you hand to a teacher to check.
She mailed her finished manuscript to three different publishers.
The editor asked for changes before accepting the manuscript.
Similartypescript, draft, text
Note
3
adjective
Written by hand, or typed by a person, instead of printed by a machine.
Like a card you write yourself instead of buying one already printed.
The museum displayed several manuscript letters from the famous writer.
He collected manuscript copies of old folk songs.
Similarhandwritten
Oppositeprinted
Note

Practice

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Origins

Meaning 3

From Latin words meaning "hand" (manus) and "written" (scriptus). It came into English in 1597.

Meanings 1–2

From Medieval Latin manūscrīptum, meaning "writing by hand."