† 1. A professional writer of text-hand, before the introduction of printing; later, an engrosser of legal documents. Obs.
1463. Canterb. Corporation Acc. (MS.). Thomas Howlet, textwriter, alias scrivener.
a. 1490. Botoner, Itin. (Nasmith, 1778), 141. Sub custodia scriptoris text-wryter commorantis apud Seynt Mary Strond.
1491. in York Myst., Introd. 39. Tixt-wryters, luminers, noters, turners, and florischers.
2. Law. An author of a legal text-book.
1845. Polson, Law Nat., in Encycl. Metrop., II. 720/1. Text-writers of authority, an authority which they obtain whenever they record the usages and practice of nations … in a spirit of impartiality.
1863. H. Cox, Instit., I. ix. 188. The language of text-writers upon the right of the Lords to reject money bills is uniform.
1902. Sir E. E. Kekewich, in Law Times Rep., LXXXVI. 346/2. In dealing with a question of this kind, one is thrown back on maxims and principles, and the exposition of them by text-writers is important.
1902. Joyce Ibid., 352/1. A dictum which … is copied in the text-books, and is considered by the text-writers to be law.
