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

The uncial letters are very small and neat, upright and regular, and their breadth is nearly equal to their height.

From Project Gutenberg

The earlier copies are all in uncial or "capital" letters, cursive or "lower-case" letters being a later invention.

From Project Gutenberg

This new writing was in two forms—round and pointed—but both were derived from the Roman half-uncial style.

From Project Gutenberg

C, von Soden δ 3; an uncial palimpsest (the top writing being that of Ephraem) of the 5th century.

From Project Gutenberg

A Gothic Uncial alphabet redrawn from a German brass is illustrated in 162.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• sign