scriptorium

American  

[skrip-tawr-ee-uhm, -tohr-] / skrɪpˈtɔr i əm, -ˈtoʊr- /

noun

plural

scriptoriums, scriptoria

1. a room, as in a monastery, library, or other institution, where manuscripts are stored, read, or copied.

---

scriptorium British  

/ skrɪpˈtɔːrɪəm /

noun

1. a room, esp in a monastery, set apart for the writing or copying of manuscripts

---

Etymology

Origin of scriptorium

1765–75; < Medieval Latin scrīptōrium; script, -tory ²

Example Sentences

“Soon after the printing press emerged in the 15th century, the scriptoriums for copying manuscripts in monasteries rapidly began shutting down,” said Fidler, now 81 and living in retirement in Santa Fe, N.M.

From Seattle Times

“I feel like I’m a monk in a scriptorium keeping something alive,” Matthews said.

From New York Times

Site supervisor Andrew Shobbrook, from Dyfed Archaeological Trust, described the priory as a significant complex of buildings with dormitories, scriptoriums - rooms devoted to writing and manuscripts - stables and a hospital.

From BBC

While the exact age of the two-sided page is unknown, it is believed to have been written in the abbey's scriptorium between 1225 and 1250.

From BBC

From Vespers until the early bedtime he served his turn in the scriptorium, where all the writing was done.

From Literature