What does manuscript mean?
A manuscript is a written work, most commonly one produced by hand. The word is especially associated with historical documents, including religious, legal, literary, and scholarly texts that predate or exist outside the print era. Manuscripts can also be valued as objects in their own right because of their handwriting, materials, illustrations, decorations, or connection with important people and events. In modern academic publishing, manuscript has a more specialized meaning: a paper, book, or other complete work submitted to an editor or publisher for review. Thus, a researcher might describe an unpublished study as a manuscript even when it has been typed on a computer. The term is precise and generally formal, and it remains standard across British and American English.
nounA document or text written by hand, especially one from a historical period. In modern publishing, the term also means a complete work submitted for consideration or publication.
- A handwritten document, especially one created before printing became widespread or one valued for its historical or artistic qualities.
- A complete written work, such as a scholarly paper or book, submitted for publication.
"The scholar spent years researching the collection of medieval manuscripts before publishing her study."
"The museum recently acquired an illuminated manuscript from a monastery in southern Italy."
"She submitted the manuscript to the publisher three weeks before the deadline."
Used for multiple handwritten documents or works submitted for publication.
"Several manuscripts were discovered in the library archives."
The word manuscript literally means “written by hand,” and it still survives in the digital age as the name for a work sent to an editor.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does manuscript come from?
The word comes through French from Latin manuscriptus, a participial form meaning “written by hand.” Its elements are manus, meaning “hand,” and scriptus, from scribere, “to write.” The same Latin writing root underlies English words such as script, scribe, and describe.
How manuscript is actually used
In publishing, manuscript is formal and refers to a work under consideration for publication. In historical and academic contexts, it usually denotes a handwritten text, with “illuminated manuscript” specifically referring to a manuscript containing decorated initials, borders, or other artistic work.