SINCE 1828
dictionary
thesaurus

book hand

noun
Save Word

Definition of book hand

: the handwriting designed primarily for legibility and beauty and ordinarily used in officially transcribing manuscripts intended for preservation before printing became common — compare minuscule, rustic capital, uncial

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

First Known Use of book hand

1885, in the meaning defined above

Learn More About book hand

Time Traveler for book hand

Time Traveler

The first known use of book hand was in 1885

See more words from the same year

Dictionary Entries Near book hand

book gill

book hand

bookholder

See More Nearby Entries 

Statistics for book hand

Cite this Entry

“Book hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/book%20hand. Accessed 17 Aug. 2022.

Style: MLA
MLACheck Mark Icon ChicagoCheck Mark Icon APACheck Mark Icon Merriam-WebsterCheck Mark Icon

WORD OF THE DAY

wreak

Listen to the pronunciation of wreak

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Challenging Words You Should Know

  • hedgehog reading a book
  • Often used to describe “the march of time,” what does inexorable mean?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Universal Daily Crossword

A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games