English Explanatory Dictionary

writ

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A written order, issued by a court, ordering someone to do (or stop doing) something.
  2. A document ordering that an election be conducted.
  3. An order issued by the House of Lords summoning peers to the Chamber.
  4. Authority, power to enforce compliance.
  5. That which is written; writing.
verb
  1. simple past of write
  2. past participle of write up

Pronunciation

/ɹɪt/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vininn126-writ.wav

Word forms

writ writs

Etymology

From Middle English writ, from Old English writ and ġewrit (“writing”), from Proto-Germanic *writą (“fissure, writing”), from Proto-Indo-European *wrey-, *wrī- (“to scratch, carve, ingrave”). Cognate with Scots writ (“writ, writing, handwriting”), Icelandic rit (“writing, writ, literary work, publication”).

Synonyms

claim form

Derived words

drop the writ handwrit Holy Writ prerogative writ proverbs should be writ in pairs writ of assistance writ of attachment writ of execution writ of habeas corpus writ of inquiry writ of mandamus writ of privilege writ of prohibition writ of right writ of summons writ-room underwrit writ large writ small
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