Forms: α. 3–4 transcrit, (3 traunscrit), 5 transcrite, (6 tancrete). β. 5–7 transcripte, (6 -scrypt), 5– transcript. [a. OF. transcrit (AF. also transescrit, transecrit) copy of a document, etc. (1221 in Godef.):—L. transcript-um, sb. use of pa. pples. of F. transcrire, and L. transcrībĕre to TRANSCRIBE. In 15th c. assimilated to the L. form transcriptum (evidenced from c. 1200, in English use). A worn-down F. form tancrist, tanscrit (13th c. in Godef.), appears to be represented in 16th-c. Eng. by tancrete (Skelton): see B.]
1. A written copy; also transf. a printed reproduction of this; spec. in Law, a copy of a legal record.
α. c. 1290. Beket, 551, in S. Eng. Leg., I. 122. Of ower olde lawes transcrit ȝe me take. Ibid., 553. Þe king him let a traunscrit take of his custumes echon.
1454. Rolls of Parlt., V. 248/1. That a transcrite of this same Act … be sent unto our seid Tresorer.
1522. [see B.].
β. 1467. Mann. & Househ. Exp. Eng. (Roxb.), 402. Item, for a transcripte of the offyce of Gorge, ij. s.
1481. Coventry Leet Bk., 493. A transcript of which lettre hereaftur ensueth.
1538. Fitzherb., Just. Peas, 187. The clerke of the petit bagge to certify the transcrypt of every suche offyce.
1611. Speed, Hist. Gt. Brit., IX. viii. § 54. The Archbishop and other Barons, are so cunningly named in the Popes Transcript, as if [etc.].
1642. Chas. I., Answ. Declar. both Ho., 1 July, 36. That which now remains being but a Transcript of a Transcript.
1788. Gibbon, Decl. & F., xliv. (1869), II. 637. Authentic transcripts were multiplied by the pens of notaries and scribes.
1803. in Gurw., Wellington’s Desp. (1837), II. 117, note. The note that I addressed to him…, a transcript of which is contained in the enclosure.
1875. Scrivener, Lect. Text N. Test., 15. The successive transcripts between the sacred autograph and the document before us.
b. A verbal or close translation or rendering. ? nonce-use. Cf. TRANSCRIBE v. 2.
1871. Browning (title), Balaustion’s Adventure: including a transcript from Euripides.
2. transf. and fig. A copy, imitation, reproduction; a representation, rendering, interpretation.
1646. J. Gregory, Notes & Observ., Pref. (1650), 1. The Lesser worlds or men are but the Transcripts of the Greater, as Children and Bookes the Copies of themselves.
1647. Clarendon, Hist. Reb., I. § 53. Some Transcripts of such Expressions … he met with amongst the People.
1657. Trapp, Comm. Job iv. 3. Let our lives be a true transcript of our Sermons.
1711. Addison, Spect., No. 166, ¶ 1. Words are the Transcript of those Ideas which are in the Mind of Man, and … Writing or Printing are the Transcript of Words.
1781. Cowper, Expost., 198. They only … Received the transcript of the eternal mind.
1860. Westcott, Introd. Study Gosp., vii. (ed. 5), 367. The Gospel of St. Mark is essentially a transcript from life.
1869. McLaren, Serm., Ser. II. iii. (1875), 42. The artist that is satisfied with his transcript of his ideal will not grow any more.
B. ppl. a. Transcribed, copied.
c. 1450. Godstow Reg., 102. A Transcripte charter of philippe Basset I-made to the mynchons of Godestowe.
1522. Skelton, Why not to Court, 417. It shall be as he wyll Stop at law tancrete, An abstract or a concrete.
