uncial

1 of 2

adjective

: written in the style or size of uncials
uncially adverb

uncial

2 of 2

noun

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

Illustration of uncial

Illustration of uncial
  • uncials

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of uncial was in 1712

Dictionary Entries Near uncial

Cite this Entry

“Uncial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uncial. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on uncial

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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