A manuscript is a handwritten or typed document, especially a writer's first version of a book before it is published.
He had seen a manuscript of the book.
...discovering an original manuscript of the song in Paris.
I am grateful to him for letting me read his early chapters in manuscript.
2. countable noun
A manuscript is an old document that was written by hand before printing was invented.
...early printed books and rare manuscripts.
manuscript in British English
(ˈmænjʊˌskrɪpt)
noun
1.
a book or other document written by hand
2.
the original handwritten or typed version of a book, article, etc, as submitted by an author for publication
3.
a.
handwriting, as opposed to printing
b.
(as modifier)
a manuscript document
Word origin
C16: from Medieval Latin manūscriptus, from Latin manus hand + scribere to write
manuscript in American English
(ˈmænjuˌskrɪpt; ˈmænjəˌskrɪpt)
adjective
1.
written by hand or with a typewriter, not printed
2.
designating writing that consists of unconnected letters resembling print; not cursive
noun
3.
a book or document written by hand, esp. before the invention of printing
see also codex
4.
a written or typewritten document or paper, esp. the copy of an author's work that is submitted to a publisher or printer
5.
writing as distinguished from print
Word origin
L manu scriptus, written by hand < manu, abl. of manus, hand (see manual) + scriptus, pp. of scribere, to write: see scribe
Examples of 'manuscript' in a sentence
manuscript
My father read the manuscript of this book as he has those of my previous books.
Simon Ball THE GUARDSMEN (2004)
It devotes a gallery to displays of original manuscripts.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Most Greek manuscripts have the story but not the oldest manuscripts.
Christianity Today (2000)
The collection he leaves behind extends to 2,500 rare printed books and manuscripts.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The August deadline for that book manuscript is looming.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
When she handed in the manuscript, he was shocked by its content and turned it down.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Many of these printed books were based on the manuscript books which generations of families would contribute to and alter according to their own tastes.
The Times Literary Supplement (2010)
I take in the original manuscripts, family portraits and cases containing study specimens in the period furnished rooms.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The manuscript is handwritten in French and German and includes notes about political and economic theory.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Besides books and manuscripts, engravings and photographs, there are some more unexpected objects on show in the exhibition.
The Times Literary Supplement (2012)
In other languages
manuscript
British English: manuscript /ˈmænjʊˌskrɪpt/ NOUN
A manuscript is a handwritten or typed document, especially a writer's first version of a book before it is published.