writ

¹

[ rit ]

noun

1. Law.
   1. a formal order under seal, issued in the name of a sovereign, government, court, or other competent authority, enjoining the officer or other person to whom it is issued or addressed to do or refrain from some specified act.
   2. (in early English law) any formal document in letter form, under seal, and in the sovereign's name.
2. something written; a writing:

   sacred writ.

writ

²

[ rit ]

verb

, Archaic.

1. a simple past tense and past participle of write.

writ

¹

/ rɪt /

noun

1. law (formerly) a document under seal, issued in the name of the Crown or a court, commanding the person to whom it is addressed to do or refrain from doing some specified act Official nameclaim
2. archaic.
   a piece or body of writing

   Holy Writ

writ

²

/ rɪt /

verb

1. archaic.
   a past tense and past participle of write
2. writ large
   plain to see; very obvious

Word History and Origins

Origin of writ¹

before 900; Middle English, Old English; cognate with Old Norse rit writing, Gothic writs letter. See write

Word History and Origins

Origin of writ¹

Old English; related to Old Norse rit, Gothic writs stroke, Old High German riz (German Riss a tear). See write

Related Words

• summons