handwriting
noun/ˈhændɹaɪtɪŋ/
Etymology From hand + writing, equal to handwrite + -ing.
1
Usually The act or process of writing done with the hand, rather than typed or word-processed.
2
Usually Text that was written by hand.
3
Usually The characteristic writing of a particular person.
- He took up the letter: well did he know the delicate and graceful handwriting; but he saw that the characters were tremulous, and it had obviously been written at different times.1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. […], volume II, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, pages 284–285:
- It was still early in the morning when Elettra brought her a letter, bearing the postmark of the city, and addressed in one of those small, clear handwritings which seem naturally to belong to scholars and students.1895, F. Marion Crawford, Taquisara:
2 more examples
- In some handwritings of the seventh or eighth century, where the letters have a round form, the substitution of OT for EG would be far from difficult.1893, Joseph B. Lightfoot, Essays on "Supernatural Religion":
- Great libraries are only just beginning to gather up the manuscript minutiae which their books contain; to identify handwritings; to decipher monograms; to collect facts.1914, P. S. Allen, The Age of Erasmus:
4
Broadly, Usually A characteristic trait or hallmark by which somebody may be recognised.
- And, my friend believes, Armedov is getting paid by...? Yes, our friends at Langley! CIA handwriting all over it, he reckons!2013, Chris Payne, High Crimes And Low Stakes: Chris Payne, page 259:
- The show needs to portray the designer's handwriting but it should also be innovative too.2016, Nilgin Yusuf, Fashion's Front Line, page 112:
- Synonyms
- longhand, manuscript, chirography, autograph, penmanship
- Derived terms
- handwriting on the wall, the handwriting is on the wall
- Related terms
- handwritten, handwrite, handwrit, cursive