Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Jump To:
  • mirror-writing
    mirror-writing
    noun
    backward writing that resembles a mirror image of ordinary script.
  • mirror writing
    mirror writing
    noun
    backward writing that forms a mirror image of normal writing

mirror-writing

American  
[mir-er-rahy-ting] / ˈmɪr ərˌraɪ tɪŋ /

noun

  1. backward writing that resembles a mirror image of ordinary script.


mirror writing British  

noun

  1. backward writing that forms a mirror image of normal writing

"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

Etymology

Origin of mirror-writing

First recorded in 1770–80

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The collection features his famous mirror-writing as well as diagrams, drawings and texts covering a range of topics in art and science.

From New York Times Feb. 17, 2023

They do not explain the frantic, two-handed, mirror-writing that occurred with Dr. George and Sarah Taylor.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

Raps echoed around the room so rapidly that Kate, mirror-writing as always, could barely keep up.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

He wrote his notes in mirror-writing, from right to left; he illustrated them with a thousand fragments of exquisite drawing, all unfinished and tantalizing alike to the artist and to the scientist.

From The Age of the Reformation by Smith, Preserved

The horse readily reverses the figures of the solution; he replies, "37," for instance, instead of "73," which is a mediumistic phenomenon so well-known and so frequent that it has been styled "mirror-writing."

From The Unknown Guest by Teixeira de Mattos, Alexander

Additionally, these individuals did not exhibit any other reversal skills, such as mirror writing, or writing in reverse.

From Scientific American Oct. 12, 2023

It is not clear whether this so-called mirror writing was a way to keep his notes private or simply a means to prevent smudging, as Leonardo was left-handed.

From Fox News Jan. 29, 2019

They include hand-written notes in his characteristic mirror writing.

From BBC Aug. 9, 2013

Some incorporate secret writing: hieroglyphs in one, mirror writing in another.

From New York Times Jan. 21, 2011

There were reasons for my mirror writing: for abbreviations and symbols, the prying of idle appren­tices, the intrusion of rivals, the circumvention of blabbers.

From Voices from the Past by Bartlett, Paul Alexander

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Join 12,000,000 vocabulary learners

Start learning new words today on VocabTrainer.
You'll remember them forever.

Start training