Also 5 cirographe, 7 chyro-. [a. F. chirographe, ad. L. chīrographum, -us, a. Gr. χειρόγραφον, -ος (that which is) written with the hand, f. χειρο- hand- + -γραφος writing, written. It became a technical word in later L. (cf. Gaius iii. 134); its complete naturalization is shown by the prevalence of the form cirographum, whence OF. and Eng. forms in ciro-, cyro-.]
1. Applied technically to various documents formally written, engrossed or signed.
a. An indenture; = CHARTER-PARTY 1; a deed of conveyance of land so indented. Obs. exc. Hist.
[c. 1280. Charta Edw. I., in Rotul. Scot., I. 1 (Du Cange). Que vous voudrez liverer par Cyrographe endenté entre vous e li.]
1727. Cowel’s Interpr. (augmented), Anciently, when they made a Chirograph or Deed, which required a Counter-part, as we call it, they engrossed it twice upon one Piece of Parchment contrary-wise, leaving a Space between, in which they wrote in great Letters, the word Chirograph; and then cut the Parchment in two, sometimes even, sometimes with Indenture, thro’ the Midst of the Word.
1736. Gale, Anc. Chirogr., in Phil. Trans., XXXIX. 212. This Marble … exhibiting a compleat Formula of a Chirograph, or Conveyance of one Part of a Burying-Place from one Family to another.
b. The indenture of a fine; one of the counterparts of such indenture.
1671. F. Philipps, Reg. Necess., 556. The said Gundreda had a Fine levied unto her…, and thereof produced the Chirograph.
1681. Lond. Gaz., No. 1633/4. Notice, that whereas divers Fines that were lost or burnt in the late Fire in the Temple, remain uningrossed for want of bringing in the Chyrograps, or exemplifications thereof.
1817. W. Selwyn, Law Nisi Prius, II. 700. The chirograph of a fine is evidence of such fine; because the chirographer is appointed to give out copies of the agreements between the parties.
1865. Nichols, Britton, II. 356. All general attorneys may levy fines and make chirographs.
c. An obligation or bond given in one’s own handwriting.
1483. Caxton, Gold. Leg., 17/1. This dette here [Col. ii. 14] thapostle calleth Cirographe or oblygacion.
1652. Gaule, Magastrom., 291. The divel casting in the chirograph, he was publiquely received into the bosome of the Church.
1656. Blount, Glossogr., Chirograph, a sign Manual, a Bill of ones hand, an Obligation or hand-writing.
d. One of three forms in which the will of the Papal See is expressed in writing.
1528. State Lett., in Burnet, Hist. Ref., II. Records xxii. That … by a new Chirograph, the Popes Holiness may be so astringed.
1823. Lingard, Hist. Eng., VI. 197. A new chirograph of pollicitation.
1864. Bradford Observer, 26 May, 3/4. The Chirograph is frequently in Italian, and … is considered as a private act of the Pontiff.
1868. Cartwright, in Sat. Rev., 22 Feb., 246/2. A third form of Papal expression in writing, called a Chirograph…. It appears indeed to have no binding force except what it may derive from personal respect for its author, and resembles in authority somewhat the minutes which at times are drawn up in our offices, or the peculiar expression of Royal wishes formerly in use in Prussia, and termed Cabinets-ordre.
2. gen. a. Any formal written document; a charter. b. Handwriting. (unusual.)
1613. R. C., Table Alph. (ed. 3), Chirograph, hand writing.
1844. S. Maitland, Dark Ages, 255. Our most beautiful chirographs, written in the Roman character.
Hence Chirographal a., Chirographary a. [ad. L. chīrographārius], related to or given in one’s own handwriting; chirographary creditor, one who holds an acknowledgement of debt in the debtor’s handwriting; Chirographate, to set one’s hand to, sign; Chirographic a., -graphical a., of, pertaining to, or in handwriting; Chirographist, a professor of chirography (used by Pope for chirognomist or chirologist); Chirographosophic (nonce-wd.), skilled in, or a judge of handwriting.
1694. Falle, Jersey, iv. 111. Few of the Debts are Chyrographal, i. e. upon Bond.
1875. Poste, Gaius, III. (ed. 2), 352. Privileged chirographary creditors.
1623. Cockeram, II. To Write his name to a Band or so, Chirographate.
1885. Beveridge, Culross & Tulliallan, II. xv. 7. Many interesting relics of the past, monumental and chirographic.
1623. Cockeram, Chirographical, writing, a writing of ones owne hand.
c. 1714. Arbuthnot & Pope, Martin. Scribl., iii. Let the Chirographists bebold his Palm.
1755. Johnson, Chirographist. This word is used [in the prec. passage] I think improperly, for one that tells fortunes, by examining the hand: the true word is chirosophist, or chiromancer.
1850. Kingsley, Alt. Locke, II. iii. 38 (D.). ‘But what sort of handwriting was it?’ asked I, almost disregarding the welcome coin.
‘Ou, then—aiblins a man’s, aiblins a maid’s. He was na chirographosophic himsel’.’
