To Write Once Meant to Scratch
A writer produces text. The Old English verb meant to scratch or carve, because early Germanic writing was cut into wood and stone.
A writer produces written text. The verb records the technology it began with: Old English *writan* meant to score, scratch or carve, because runes were cut into wood, bone and stone rather than drawn with ink. German *reißen*, to tear, is the same word. Latin took a different route: *scribere* also meant to scratch, and gave English *scribe* and *script*.
- Someone who writes. *A travel writer.*
- An author. *The writer of the report.*
- Ghostwriter — one who writes for another. *A ghostwriter was hired.*
- Writer's block — an inability to write. *Weeks of writer's block.*
- Wright — a maker, and a different word. *A shipwright.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb | write | Write it down. |
| Past | wrote | She wrote back. |
| Participle | written | It has been written. |
| Agent | writer | A freelance writer. |
| Noun | writing | Clear writing. |
- The writer refused to be interviewed.Author.
- Runes were cut, not drawn.The original technology.
- He wrote three drafts before he was satisfied.Past tense: wrote.
Writing words from scratching
- Write — Old English, to score or carve
- Scribe and script — Latin *scribere*, also to scratch
- Graphic — Greek *graphein*, to scratch or draw
- Character — Greek, an engraved mark
- Every major writing word in English began as a word for cutting a surface
Old English *writan*, to score or carve, plus the agent ending -ere. Related to German *reißen*, to tear, from a Germanic root meaning to cut.
Why did write mean to scratch?
Because early Germanic writing was cut into wood and stone. The verb described the physical act of scoring a surface.
Is writer related to wright?
No. Wright means a maker and comes from work. That is why playwright is spelled the way it is.