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  • 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

The phenomenon of mirror-writing here observed parallels that of many other cases in which the left-right direction is reversed.

From The Journal of Abnormal Psychology, Volume 10 by Various

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 Alexander Teixeira de Mattos

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 Paul Alexander Bartlett

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