uncial

[ uhn-shee-uhl, -shuhl ]

adjective

1. designating, written in, or pertaining to a form of majuscule writing having a curved or rounded shape and used chiefly in Greek and Latin manuscripts from about the 3rd to the 9th century a.d.

noun

1. an uncial letter.
2. uncial writing.
3. a manuscript written in uncials.

uncial

/ ˈʌnsɪəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or written in majuscule letters, as used in Greek and Latin manuscripts of the third to ninth centuries, that resemble modern capitals, but are characterized by much greater curvature and inclination and general inequality of height
2. pertaining to an inch or an ounce
3. pertaining to the duodecimal system

noun

1. an uncial letter or manuscript

Derived Forms

• ˈuncially, adverb

Other Words From

• unci·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of uncial¹

1640–50; < Late Latin unciālēs ( litterae ) (Jerome) uncial (letters), plural of Latin unciālis weighing one twelfth of a libra ( uncia, -al ¹ ); literal sense is unclear

Word History and Origins

Origin of uncial¹

C17: from Late Latin unciāles litterae letters an inch long, from Latin unciālis, from uncia one twelfth, inch, ounce ¹

Example Sentences

KIRILLITSA: The alphabet based principally on the Greek uncials that was originally used for writing Old Church Slavonic.

From Seattle Times

KIRILLITSA: The alphabet based principally on the Greek uncials that was originally used for writing Old Church Slavonic.

From Washington Times

And a word, written in black letter, uncial, Copperplate Script, Roman capitals, or even the “Star Wars” font by a professional, has all the virtues of those far more complicated handmade things.

From The New Yorker

Those of you who are judges of graphic character will see the nature of the letters; they are capital, or uncial letters.

From Project Gutenberg

He is unable to compare “the five old uncials” together except in respect of about one verse in three.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• sign