manuscript

UK: /ˈmænjʊskrɪpt/ US: /ˈmænjəˌskrɪpt/ ,(man′yə skript′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

man•u•script /ˈmænyəˌskrɪpt/   n. [countable]

1. a written, typewritten, or computer-produced piece of writing before being set in type:
   handed in his manuscript late.
2. a piece of writing on parchment or paper before books were invented:
   ancient and forgotten manuscripts.

See -man-¹, -scrib-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

man•u•script  (man′yə skript′), n. 

1. the original text of an author's work, handwritten or now usually typed, that is submitted to a publisher.
2. any text not printed.
3. a book or document written before the invention of printing.
4. writing, as distinguished from print.

adj. 

5. handwritten or typed, not professionally printed.

• Medieval Latin manūscrīptus written by hand, equivalent. to Latin manū by hand (ablative of manus) + scrīptus written; see script
• 1590–1600

man′u•script′al, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

manuscript / 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. handwriting, as opposed to printing

Etymology: 16th Century: from Medieval Latin manūscriptus, from Latin manus hand + scribere to write