longhand

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English

The U.S. Constitution was written in longhand.

Etymology

From long +‎ hand, by analogy with shorthand.

Pronunciation

Noun

longhand (countable and uncountable, plural longhands)

  1. The written characters used in the common method of writing; opposed to shorthand, or typing or printing; handwriting.
    Synonym: handwriting
    Antonym: shorthand
    • 1910, Jerome Bird Howard, The Phonographic Amanuensis, page 210:
      When, however, in any particular case, he has no assured means of determining the true spelling of the name, he should always quietly interrupt the dictater with the request, " Spell it , please," and then write the name in longhand from the dictater's spelling.

Adverb

longhand (not comparable)

  1. Written by hand in normal characters, as opposed to shorthand.
    Antonym: shorthand
    Coordinate term: engross
  2. Written by hand (with pen or pencil), rather than printed out; handwritten.
    Synonym: handwritten
    Antonyms: print, print out
    I had to write the essay out twice longhand – they wouldn’t let me print it out. It took forever!

Further reading

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