writing
Other forms: writings
Writing is the act of putting pen to paper...or fingers to keyboard...or even thumbs to phone pad. Any time you record language in script, whether that's a tweet or the next great American novel, you're writing.
If you promise your first-born son to the strange lady next door, she might say, "put it in writing," which means she's probably not a witch and relies on the law to get things done, because things written down are more binding than mere speech. You can also use writing to refer to the collected work of a single author or group. You might adore the writing of Mark Twain. Or do you prefer writing about vampires?
Definitions of writing
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letters or symbols that are written or imprinted on a surface to represent the sounds or words of a language“he turned the paper over so the writing wouldn't show”“the doctor's writing was illegible”
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types:
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orthography, writing system
a method of representing the sounds of a language by written or printed symbols
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coding system
a system of signals used to represent letters or numbers in transmitting messages
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capitalisation, capitalization
writing in capital letters
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typewriting, typing
writing done with a typewriter
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printing
text handwritten in the style of printed matter
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hand, handwriting, script
something written by hand
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hieroglyph, hieroglyphic
writing that resembles hieroglyphics (usually by being illegible)
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skywriting
writing formed in the sky by smoke released from an airplane
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printing, printing process
reproduction by applying ink to paper as for publication
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notation, notational system
a technical system of symbols used to represent special things
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shorthand, stenography, tachygraphy
a method of writing rapidly
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cursive, cursive script, longhand, running hand
rapid handwriting in which letters are set down in full and are cursively connected within words without lifting the writing implement from the paper
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script
a particular orthography or writing system
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spelling
forming words with letters according to the principles underlying accepted usage
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code
a coding system used for transmitting messages requiring brevity or secrecy
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code, computer code
(computer science) the symbolic arrangement of data or instructions in a computer program or the set of such instructions
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picture writing
a writing system using pictographs
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alphabetic script, alphabetic writing
a writing system based on alphabetic characters
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boustrophedon
an ancient writing system: having alternate lines written in opposite directions; literally `as the ox ploughs'
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ideography
the use of ideograms in writing
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hieroglyph, hieroglyphic
a writing system using picture symbols; used in ancient Egypt
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point system
a system of writing or printing using patterns of raised dots that can be read by touch
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double-spacing
typing that leaves alternate lines blank
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single-spacing
typing that does not leave lines blank
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triple-spacing
typing that leaves two lines blank between lines of typing
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touch system, touch typing
typewriting in which the fingers are trained to hit particular keys; typist can read and type at the same time
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calligraphy, chirography, penmanship
beautiful handwriting
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cacography, scratch, scrawl, scribble
poor handwriting
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composition, typography
art and technique of printing with movable type
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letterpress, relief printing
printing from a plate with raised characters
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gravure, intaglio, intaglio printing
a printing process that uses an etched or engraved plate; the plate is smeared with ink and wiped clean, then the ink left in the recesses makes the print
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process printing
a method of printing colored reproductions from halftone plates
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planographic printing, planography
the process of printing from a surface on which the printing areas are not raised but are ink-receptive (as opposed to ink repellent)
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offset, offset printing
a plate makes an inked impression on a rubber-blanketed cylinder, which in turn transfers it to the paper
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carbon process
a process of printing on paper coated with bichromated gelatin containing pigment
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mathematical notation
a notation used by mathematicians
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musical notation
(music) notation used by musicians
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choreography
a notation used by choreographers
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chemical notation
a notation used by chemists to express technical facts in chemistry
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type of:
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black and white, written communication, written language
communication by means of written symbols (either printed or handwritten)
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the activity of putting something in written form“she did the thinking while he did the writing”
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synonyms:
committal to writing
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types:
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coding, cryptography, secret writing, steganography
act of writing in code or cipher
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handwriting
the activity of writing by hand
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inscription
the activity of inscribing (especially carving or engraving) letters or words
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notation
the activity of representing something by a special system of marks or characters
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superscription
the activity of superscribing
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stenography
the act or art of writing in shorthand
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subscription
the act of signing your name; writing your signature (as on a document)
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encoding, encryption
the activity of converting data or information into code
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recoding
converting from one code to another
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decipherment, decoding, decryption
the activity of making clear or converting from code into plain text
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type of:
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activity
any specific behavior
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the act of creating written works“writing was a form of therapy for him”
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synonyms:
authorship, composition, penning
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types:
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adoxography
fine writing in praise of trivial or base subjects
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drafting
writing a first version to be filled out and polished later
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dramatisation, dramatization
conversion into dramatic form
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fabrication, fictionalisation, fictionalization
writing in a fictional form
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historiography
the writing of history
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metrification
writing a metrical composition (or the metrical structure of a composition)
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novelisation, novelization
converting something into the form of a novel
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redaction
the act of putting something in writing
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lexicography
the act of writing dictionaries
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versification
the art or practice of writing verse
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type of:
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verbal creation
creating something by the use of speech and language
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the work of a writer; anything expressed in letters of the alphabet (especially when considered from the point of view of style and effect)“the writing in her novels is excellent”
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synonyms:
piece of writing, written material
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examples:
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Ayurveda
(Sanskrit) an ancient medical treatise summarizing the Hindu art of healing and prolonging life; sometimes regarded as a 5th Veda
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types:
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bowdlerisation, bowdlerization
written material that has been bowdlerized
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title
(usually plural) written material introduced into a movie or TV show to give credits or represent dialogue or explain an action
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cryptogram, cryptograph, secret writing
a piece of writing in code or cipher
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rescript, revision, rewrite
something that has been written again
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literary composition, literary work
imaginative or creative writing
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literature
creative writing of recognized artistic value
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literature
published writings in a particular style on a particular subject
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matter
written works (especially in books or magazines)
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criticism, literary criticism
a written evaluation of a work of literature
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section, subdivision
a self-contained part of a larger composition (written or musical)
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paragraph
one of several distinct subdivisions of a text intended to separate ideas; the beginning is usually marked by a new indented line
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diary, journal
a daily written record of (usually personal) experiences and observations
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inscription, lettering
letters inscribed (especially words engraved or carved) on something
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manuscript, ms
the form of a literary work submitted for publication
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autograph
something written by one's own hand
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treatise
a formal exposition
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adaptation, retelling, version
a written work (as a novel) that has been recast in a new form
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essay
an analytic or interpretive literary composition
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editing, redaction
putting something (as a literary work or a legislative bill) into acceptable form
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religious text, religious writing, sacred text, sacred writing
writing that is venerated for the worship of a deity
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screed
a long piece of writing
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document, papers, written document
writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
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dramatic composition, dramatic work
a play for performance on the stage or television or in a movie etc.
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dithyramb
a wildly enthusiastic speech or piece of writing
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plagiarism
a piece of writing that has been copied from someone else and is presented as being your own work
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transcript
something that has been transcribed; a written record (usually typewritten) of dictated or recorded speech
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lead, lead-in, lede
the introductory section of a story
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historiography
a body of historical literature
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acrostic
verse in which certain letters such as the first in each line form a word or message
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belles lettres, belles-lettres
creative writing valued for esthetic content
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dialog, dialogue
a literary composition in the form of a conversation between two people
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fiction
a literary work based on the imagination and not necessarily on fact
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fictionalisation, fictionalization
a literary work based partly or wholly on fact but written as if it were fiction
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explication de texte
a method of literary criticism that analyzes details of a text in order to reveal its structure and meaning
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textual criticism
comparison of a particular text with related materials in order to establish authenticity
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new criticism
literary criticism based on close analysis of the text
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analysis
a form of literary criticism in which the structure of a piece of writing is analyzed
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hagiology
literature narrating the lives (and legends) of the saints
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lucubration
a solemn literary work that is the product of laborious cogitation
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pastoral
a literary work idealizing the rural life (especially the life of shepherds)
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poem, verse form
a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines
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canto
a major division of a long poem
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potboiler
a literary composition of poor quality that was written quickly to make money (to boil the pot)
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tushery
writing of poor quality; characterized by affected choice of archaic words
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dictation
matter that has been dictated and transcribed; a dictated passage
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text, textual matter
the words of something written
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text
the main body of a written work (as distinct from illustrations or footnotes etc.)
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typescript
typewritten matter especially a typewritten copy of a manuscript
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front matter, prelims
written matter preceding the main text of a book
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back matter, end matter
written matter following the main text of a book
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soft copy
(computer science) matter that is in a form that a computer can store or display it on a computer screen
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hard copy
(computer science) matter that is held in a computer and is typed or printed on paper
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above
an earlier section of a written text
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sports section
the section of a newspaper that reports on sports
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article, clause
a separate section of a legal document (as a statute or contract or will)
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book
a major division of a long written composition
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chapter
a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled
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episode
a brief section of a literary or dramatic work that forms part of a connected series
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spot
a section of an entertainment that is assigned to a specific performer or performance
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spot
a short section or illustration (as between radio or tv programs or in a magazine) that is often used for advertising
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insert
a folded section placed between the leaves of another publication
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introduction
the first section of a communication
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narration
(rhetoric) the second section of an oration in which the facts are set forth
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close, closing, conclusion, end, ending
the last section of a communication
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addendum, postscript, supplement
textual matter that is added onto a publication; usually at the end
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passage
a section of text; particularly a section of medium length
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blog, web log
an online journal where people can post entries about their experiences
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superscription
an inscription written above something else
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epigraph
an engraved inscription
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epitaph
an inscription on a tombstone or monument in memory of the person buried there
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holograph, manuscript
handwritten book or document
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modernisation, modernization
a modernized version (as of a play)
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dissertation, thesis
a treatise advancing a new point of view resulting from research; usually a requirement for an advanced academic degree
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pamphlet, tract
a brief treatise on a subject of interest; published in the form of a booklet
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monograph
a detailed and documented treatise on a particular subject
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composition, paper, report, theme
an essay (especially one written as an assignment)
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disquisition
an elaborate analytical or explanatory essay or discussion
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memoir
an essay on a scientific or scholarly topic
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thanatopsis
an essay expressing a view on the subject of death
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critical review, critique, review, review article
an essay or article that gives a critical evaluation (as of a book or play)
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copy editing
putting something into a form suitable for a printer
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cut, deletion, excision
the omission that is made when an editorial change shortens a written passage
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correction
something substituted for an error
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revising, rewriting
editing that involves writing something again
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sacred scripture, scripture
any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group
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Bible, Book, Christian Bible, Good Book, Holy Scripture, Holy Writ, Scripture, Word, Word of God
the sacred writings of the Christian religions
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mezuza, mezuzah
religious texts from Deuteronomy inscribed on parchment and rolled up in a case that is attached to the doorframe of many Jewish households in accordance with Jewish law
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Paralipomenon
(Old Testament) an obsolete name for the Old Testament books of I Chronicles and II Chronicles which were regarded as supplementary to Kings
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Testament
either of the two main parts of the Christian Bible
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Gospel, Gospels, evangel
the four books in the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) that tell the story of Christ's life and teachings
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Synoptic Gospels, Synoptics
the first three Gospels which describe events in Christ's life from a similar point of view
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prayer
a fixed text used in praying
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service book
a book setting forth the forms of church service
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Apocrypha
14 books of the Old Testament included in the Vulgate (except for II Esdras) but omitted in Jewish and Protestant versions of the Bible; eastern Christian churches (except the Coptic Church) accept all these books as canonical; the Russian Orthodox Church accepts these texts as divinely inspired but does not grant them the same status
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sapiential book, wisdom book, wisdom literature
any of the biblical books (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Wisdom of Solomon, Ecclesiasticus) that are considered to contain wisdom
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Pseudepigrapha
52 texts written between 200 BC and AD 200 but ascribed to various prophets and kings in the Hebrew scriptures; many are apocalyptic in nature
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sura
one of the sections (or chapters) in the Koran
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Talmudic literature
(Judaism) ancient rabbinical writings
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Sanskrit literature
Hindu literature written in Sanskrit
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Veda, Vedic literature
(from the Sanskrit word for `knowledge') any of the most ancient sacred writings of Hinduism written in early Sanskrit; traditionally believed to comprise the Samhitas, the Brahmanas, the Aranyakas, and the Upanishads
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mantra
(Sanskrit) literally a `sacred utterance' in Vedism; one of a collection of orally transmitted poetic hymns
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psalm
any sacred song used to praise the deity
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ballot
a document listing the alternatives that is used in voting
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brevet
a document entitling a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily (but without higher pay)
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capitulation
a document containing the terms of surrender
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certificate, certification, credential, credentials
a document attesting to the truth of certain stated facts
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charter
a document incorporating an institution and specifying its rights; includes the articles of incorporation and the certificate of incorporation
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commercial document, commercial instrument
a document of or relating to commerce
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confession
a written document acknowledging an offense and signed by the guilty party
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copyright, right of first publication
a document granting exclusive right to publish and sell literary or musical or artistic work
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enclosure, inclosure
something (usually a supporting document) that is enclosed in an envelope with a covering letter
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form
a printed document with spaces in which to write
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instrument, legal document, legal instrument, official document
(law) a document that states some contractual relationship or grants some right
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papyrus
a document written on papyrus
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patent, patent of invention
a document granting an inventor sole rights to an invention
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platform, political platform, political program, program
a document stating the aims and principles of a political party
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resignation
a formal document giving notice of your intention to resign
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declaration, resolution, resolve
a formal expression by a meeting; agreed to by a vote
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source
a document (or organization) from which information is obtained
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specification
(patent law) a document drawn up by the applicant for a patent of invention that provides an explicit and detailed description of the nature and use of an invention
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voucher
a document that serves as evidence of some expenditure
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exposition
(music) the section of a movement (especially in sonata form) where the major musical themes first occur
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obbligato, obligato
a part of the score that must be performed without change or omission
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drama, dramatic play, play
a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
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act
a subdivision of a play or opera or ballet
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scene
a subdivision of an act of a play
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book, playscript, script
a written version of a play or other dramatic composition; used in preparing for a performance
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recapitulation
(music) the section of a composition or movement (especially in sonata form) in which musical themes that were introduced earlier are repeated
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development
(music) the section of a composition or movement (especially in sonata form) where the major musical themes are developed and elaborated
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versification
a metrical adaptation of something (e.g., of a prose text)
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report, study, written report
a written document describing the findings of some individual or group
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recitation
written matter that is recited from memory
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canon
a set group of works that are considered to be high quality and representative of a field
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romance
a medieval narrative about the adventures of a chivalric hero
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verse
a group of lines that form one section of a song or poem
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verse
one of short subdivisions of a chapter in the Bible
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type of:
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black and white, written communication, written language
communication by means of written symbols (either printed or handwritten)
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Ayurveda
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(usually plural) the collected work of an author“the idea occurs with increasing frequency in Hemingway's writings”
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types:
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patristics, patrology
the writings of the early Church Fathers
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type of:
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body of work, oeuvre, work
the total output of a writer or artist (or a substantial part of it)
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black and white, written communication, written language
communication by means of written symbols (either printed or handwritten)
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patristics, patrology
Pronunciation
US
/ˈraɪdɪŋ/
UK
/ˈraɪtɪŋ/
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