Illustration of uncial
- uncials
uncial
1 of 2adjective
un·cial ˈən(t)-shəl 
-sē-əl
-sē-əl : written in the style or size of uncials
uncially adverb
uncial
2 of 2noun
1
: a handwriting used especially in Greek and Latin manuscripts of the fourth to the eighth centuries a.d. and made with somewhat rounded separated majuscules but having cursive forms for some letters
2
: an uncial letter
3
: a manuscript written in uncial
Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Late Latin unciales (litterae) uncial (letters), from Latin, plural of uncialis weighing an ounce, from uncia twelfth part, ounce — more at ounce
First Known Use
Adjective
1712, in the meaning defined above
Noun
circa 1775, in the meaning defined at sense 1