penmanship

American  

[pen-muhn-ship] / ˈpɛn mənˌʃɪp /

noun

1. the art of handwriting; the use of the pen in writing.

2. a person's style or manner of handwriting.

   clear penmanship; poor penmanship.

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penmanship British  

/ ˈpɛnmənʃɪp /

noun

1. Also called: calligraphy.  style or technique of writing by hand

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Etymology

Origin of penmanship

First recorded in 1685–95; penman + -ship

Explanation

Penmanship is the technique of writing something by hand. If your penmanship is terrible, you might want to type your book report instead. Penmanship is a somewhat old-fashioned way to say "handwriting." Before typewriters and then computer keyboards were commonly used, teaching students tidy penmanship was considered to be extremely important. If you attended school in the 19th century, you would have spent hours practicing your penmanship in copy books, writing and rewriting the same sentences. Penmanship comes from the now-obsolete penman or "clerk."

Example Sentences

Penmanship, romanticized by signatures like Ruth’s, is no longer stressed.

From Washington Times • Jul. 7, 2014

In Manhattan's Hotel Pennsylvania last week an elderly salesman for a pencil company was waiting for the National Association of Penmanship Teachers and Supervisors to close the first session of its annual convention.

From Time Magazine Archive

As president of the Association, Miss Connor outlined her Theory of the History of Penmanship.

From Time Magazine Archive

Necrology Eight Wielders of the Pen Meet at Last the Wielder of the Scythe Penmanship is the occasion of comparatively few occupational diseases.

From Time Magazine Archive

“Was there ever a Coup de Theatre,” Adams complained, “that had so great an effect as Jefferson’s Penmanship of the Declaration of Independence.”

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis