copyist

[ kop-ee-ist ]

noun

1. a person who transcribes copies, especially of documents.
2. an imitator.

copyist

/ ˈkɒpɪɪst /

noun

1. a person who makes written copies; transcriber
2. a person who imitates or copies

Word History and Origins

Origin of copyist¹

First recorded in 1690–1700; copy + -ist

Example Sentences

The museum let these copyists—that was the term for them—store their things there.

From Literature

Not that you had to be all that clever back then to spot Austen copyists.

From Washington Post

To support himself in New York, he served as an assistant and copyist for the composer and critic Virgil Thomson, who paid the young man $20 a week and gave him lessons in orchestration.

From Washington Post

It could be a student, imitator, copyist, colleague or competitor.

From Washington Post

Either way, I thought it was a work of beauty and genius, especially after getting to study the music up close as I proofread parts of the score for the show’s copyist.

From New York Times

Related Words

• agent
• auditor
• bookkeeper
• cashier
• employee
• operator
• receptionist
• salesperson
• secretary
• teller
• worker