writ

¹

[rit]

noun

1. Law.

   1. 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.

   2. (in early English law) any formal document in letter form, under seal, and in the sovereign's name.

2. something written; a writing.

   sacred writ.

writ

²

[rit]

verb

Archaic.

1. a simple past tense and past participle of write.

writ

¹

/ rɪt /

noun

1. Official name: claim. 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 act

2. archaic,  a piece or body of writing

   Holy Writ

writ

²

/ rɪt /

verb

1. archaic,  a past tense and past participle of write

2. plain to see; very obvious

Word History and Origins

Origin of writ¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of writ¹

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

Example Sentences

“Safeguarding the well-being of one institution at the expense of the future of higher education writ large doesn’t work,” said Todd Wolfson, president of the American Association of University Professors.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Oedipus’ flaws are writ large in his rash, heated dealings with anyone who stands in his way.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Along the way, they discussed Yale’s responsibility to the institution versus higher education writ large.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

His finish moments later was outstanding, but Scottish regret was writ large over it.

Read more on BBC

The bubble might not be in the stock market writ large.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• summons