writ

[ rit ]

/ rɪt /

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See synonyms for writ on Thesaurus.com

noun

Law.

a formal order under seal, issued in the name of a sovereign, government, court, or other competent authority, enjoining the officer or other person to whom it is issued or addressed to do or refrain from some specified act.
(in early English law) any formal document in letter form, under seal, and in the sovereign's name.

something written; a writing: sacred writ.

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Origin of writ

before 900; Middle English, Old English; cognate with Old Norse rit writing, Gothic writs letter. See write

Words nearby writ

wrist plate, wrist shot, wrist watch, wrist wrestling, wristy, writ, writable, write, write-down, write-in, write-in candidate

Other definitions for writ (2 of 2)

writ²

[ rit ]

/ rɪt /

verb Archaic.

a simple past tense and past participle of write.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use writ in a sentence

What Republicans really stand forThis is important, because it gets at the actual argument, writ large, that Republicans are making right now.
A disgusting GOP attack ad shows what’s really at stake in Georgia|Greg Sargent|December 18, 2020|Washington Post
Gomitaku writ large, the print towers over the show to exemplify trash that’s typically much smaller or even, in the case of microplastics, unseeable with the naked eye.
In the galleries: Up to his elbows in watery works and lustrous prints|Mark Jenkins|December 18, 2020|Washington Post
The lawsuit seeks a writ of mandamus — a court order that would require OSHA to fulfill its duties.
Health-care workers file lawsuit against OSHA, accusing agency of failing to keep them safe|Eli Rosenberg|October 29, 2020|Washington Post
We also asked pollsters what, if anything, they were still worried about in 2020, regarding either their own polls or the polling industry writ large.
What Pollsters Have Changed Since 2016 — And What Still Worries Them About 2020|Geoffrey Skelley (geoffrey.skelley@abc.com)|October 13, 2020|FiveThirtyEight

A real problem for the polling industry writ large was the underrepresentation of voters with little or no college education.
What Pollsters Have Changed Since 2016 — And What Still Worries Them About 2020|Geoffrey Skelley (geoffrey.skelley@abc.com)|October 13, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
Writ in its history are all the ills and passions of the past century.
Glenn Beck Is Now Selling Hipster Clothes. Really.|Ana Marie Cox|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If only women are getting fired, the reason is not holy writ.
Catholic Church: Religious Freedom Trumps Civil Rights|Jay Michaelson|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
McCain said additional economic sanctions against Russia writ large were also called for.
Exclusive: McCain Tells Obama How to Punish Putin|Josh Rogin|March 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Baghdadi is unlikely to comply, and Zawahiri has long been unable to enforce his writ on the Iraqi branch of al Qaeda.
Al Qaeda’s Most Dangerous Stronghold|Bruce Riedel|November 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST
This is the issue of assimilation writ in flashing neon lights.
The Strange Power of ‘Fiddler on the Roof’|Jen Vafidis|October 28, 2013|DAILY BEAST
I've got a writ here, Baptiste, and will be glad to have you tell me where this stuff of yours is so I can go and get it.
The Homesteader|Oscar Micheaux
Here, ma'am, is the writ of subpœny 't calls for her to be a witness in a case of assault an' battery.
Dorothy at Skyrie|Evelyn Raymond
So St. Luke writ the gospel having diligently attained to all things.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various
The Puritans attacked the drama as contrary to Holy Writ, as destructive of religion, and as a menace to public morality.
Shakespearean Playhouses|Joseph Quincy Adams
In his case, as in the case of Spencer Cowper, an attempt was made to obtain a writ of appeal.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.|Thomas Babington Macaulay

British Dictionary definitions for writ (1 of 2)

writ¹

/ (rɪt) /

noun

law (formerly) a document under seal, issued in the name of the Crown or a court, commanding the person to whom it is addressed to do or refrain from doing some specified actOfficial name: claim

archaic a piece or body of writingHoly Writ

Word Origin for writ

Old English; related to Old Norse rit, Gothic writs stroke, Old High German riz (German Riss a tear). See write

British Dictionary definitions for writ (2 of 2)

writ²

/ (rɪt) /

verb

archaic, or dialect a past tense and past participle of write

writ large plain to see; very obvious

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