Manuscript
'mænjʊskrɪpt
Definitions
A text that has not yet been published or formally reproduced, especially one written by hand or typed.
'mænjʊskrɪpt
A handwritten or typed text, typically of a book or document, before it is published or reproduced.
The editor made several revisions to the manuscript.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're writing a story. Before it becomes a real book that everyone can buy, it's a manuscript – the first draft! Like, "I have a manuscript of my new novel, but it needs to be edited."
👶 For kids: A manuscript is like a secret book that someone writes before it gets printed and made into a real book!
More Examples
He spent years compiling his research into a comprehensive manuscript.
The discovery of a lost manuscript of Shakespeare's plays created a sensation.
How It's Used
"The author submitted the final manuscript to the publisher."
"Researchers often submit manuscripts to journals for peer review."
"The library houses ancient manuscripts from the medieval period."
Idioms & expressions
submit a manuscript
To send a manuscript to a publisher or editor for consideration.
"The author was excited to finally submit his manuscript to a major publishing house."
edit a manuscript
To revise and correct a manuscript.
"The editor spent weeks carefully editing the manuscript."
From Latin *manu scriptus* (written by hand), combining *manu* (by hand) and *scriptus* (written, past participle of *scribere*).
Originally used to describe handwritten texts before printing became widespread. The term evolved to include typed and electronic documents as well.
Memory tip
Think of a *hand-written script* before it's been mass produced.
Word Origin
"Written by hand (*manu scriptus*)"