diplomatics

[ dip-luh-mat-iks ]

See synonyms for diplomatics on Thesaurus.com

noun(used with a singular verb)

the science of deciphering old official documents, as charters, and of determining their authenticity, age, or the like.

Origin of diplomatics

First recorded in 1785–95; see origin at diplomatic, -ics

Words Nearby diplomatics

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use diplomatics in a sentence

You have surely given him a great enough dose of diplomatics and canon law by this time.
Joan of the Sword Hand | S(amuel) R(utherford) Crockett
It is necessary therefore that we should make a short digression into the region of diplomatics.
Domesday Book and Beyond | Frederic William Maitland
We may mention, in passing, that the papyrus roll gave us a word still in use in diplomatics, the word protocol.
Illuminated Manuscripts | John W. Bradley
Imprecations on breakers of contracts are indeed common enough in medival diplomatics.
The Story of Chartres | Cecil Headlam
We have given a sufficient number of the documents in full to illustrate these features of mediæval diplomatics.
A Source Book for Mediaeval History | Oliver J. Thatcher

British Dictionary definitions for diplomatics

diplomatics

/ (ˌdɪpləˈmætɪks) /

noun(functioning as singular)

the critical study of historical documents
a less common word for diplomacy

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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