See Also: writ(dictionary)
Writ(law)
RIGHT, WRIT OF(law)
writ(encyclopedia)
WRIT, practice(law)
INQUIRY, WRIT OF(law)
MESNE, WRIT of(law)
MONSTRAVERUNT, WRIT OF, Eng(law)
WRIT OF PROCLAMATION, Eng(law)
WRIT OF PREVENTION(law)

writ (iou)



writ noun.
[Old English writ corresp. to Old High German ri stroke, written character (German Riss as in Umriss outline), Old Norse rit writing, writ, letter, Gothic writs stroke of a pen, from Germanic base also of WRITE verb. See also WRITE noun.]
Written matter; a writing; spec. (a) a written work, a book; (b) (obsolete exc. in Holy Writ, Sacred Writ below) Holy Scripture; (c) a written communication; a letter. Now rare in gen. sense. OE.
Holy Writ, Sacred Writ sacred writings collectively; esp. the Bible.
A formal document; a legal instrument; spec. (Law) (a) a written command or order issued in the name of a sovereign, court, State, or other competent authority, directing a specified person or persons to act or refrain from acting in a specified way; (b) a document issued by the Crown to summon a peer to Parliament or to order an election of a member or members of Parliament. Now also (transf. & fig.), authority, power to enforce compliance or submission, effective influence. ME.
one's writ runs one has authority (of a specified kind or extent). serve a writ on deliver a writ to. writ of execution a judicial order that a judgement be enforced. writ of inquiry: by which a sheriff is directed to summon a jury to hold an inquiry, spec. for the assessment of damages in a case where a defendant has failed to appear. writ of summons: by which an action is started in the High Court. original writ: see ORIGINAL adjective. purchase a writ: see PURCHASE verb 4b.
Insight He hires an attorney to file a writ of habeas corpus requesting a new trial. T. Dupuy The Porte's writ was law as far east as the Persian Gulf.
Written record. ME.
Pope He..Of ancient writ unlocks the learned store.
b. Written words or characters. Long obsolete exc. in phr. below. ME.
hand of writ: see HAND noun.
c. Written form; = WRITING noun 4. Esp. in in writ. ME-L17.