a. (sb.) [ad. med.L. cursīv-us, f. curs- ppl. stem of currĕre to run: see -IVE. Cf. Du Cange s.v. Scriptura. In mod.F. cursif, -ive (1797 in Hatzfeld).] Of writing: Written with a running hand, so that the characters are rapidly formed without raising the pen, and in consequence have their angles rounded, and separate strokes joined, and at length become slanted. In ancient manuscripts the cursive style, showing some of these characteristics, is distinguished from the more formal uncial writing.
1784. in W. Fry, New Vocab.
1827. G. S. Faber, Sacr. Cal. Proph. (1844), III. 764. The gradual invention and … general use of the cursive greek character.
1837–9. Hallam, Hist. Lit., i. I. § 56. The complex system of abbreviations which rendered the cursive handwriting almost as operose … as the more stiff characters of older manuscripts.
1881. Westcott & Hort, Grk. N. T., Introd. § 102. The Cursive MSS. range from the ninth to the sixteenth centuries.
B. sb. A cursive character or manuscript.
1861. Scrivener, Introd. N. T., ii. (1874), 40. Colbert. 2844 or 33 of the Gospels, ‘the Queen of the cursives,’ as it has been called.
1881. Westcott & Hort, Grk. N. T., Introd. § 98. The Greek MSS. of the New Testament are divided into two classes … Uncials and Cursives, according as they are written in capital or minuscule characters.
