Uncial

//ˈʌn.si.əl// adj, noun

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Of or relating to an ounce, or an inch, especially to letters printed an inch high. rare
  2. 2
    Of or relating to a majuscule style of writing with unjoined, rounded letters, originally used in the 4th–9th centuries. not-comparable

    "This, also written in black letter, we found inscribed on a second parchment that was in the coffer, apparently somewhat older in date than that on which was inscribed the mediæval Latin translation of the uncial Greek of which I shall speak presently."

Adjective
  1. 1
    relating to or written in majuscule letters (which resemble modern capitals) wordnet
Noun
  1. 1
    A style of writing using uncial letters.
  2. 2
    a style of orthography characterized by somewhat rounded capital letters; found especially in Greek and Latin manuscripts of the 4th to 8th centuries wordnet
  3. 3
    A letter in this style.
  4. 4
    A manuscript in this style.

Etymology

Etymology 1

Attested 1650, from Latin uncia (“a twelfth part, ounce, inch”).

Etymology 2

Attested 1712, from Late Latin unciales (“uncials”), unciales litterae (“uncial letters”) (Jerome), plural of uncialis (“pertaining to one twelfth part, ounce, or inch”), from uncia (“one twelfth part, ounce, inch”). The literal meaning is unclear: some references indicate "inch-high letters", but see “Uncial script” in Wikipedia.

Etymology 3

Attested 1712, from Late Latin unciales (“uncials”), unciales litterae (“uncial letters”) (Jerome), plural of uncialis (“pertaining to one twelfth part, ounce, or inch”), from uncia (“one twelfth part, ounce, inch”). The literal meaning is unclear: some references indicate "inch-high letters", but see “Uncial script” in Wikipedia.

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