Pl. -es. [L. (in Suetonius) adj. used subst., f. denominative phrase a manu a secretary, short for servus a manu + -ensis belonging to.] One who copies or writes from the dictation of another.
1619. Sclater, Expos. Thess. (1627), I. To Reader 6. An Amanuensis to take my Dictates.
1621. Burton, Anat. Mel., Democr. 11. Allowing him six or seven amanuenses to write out his dictates.
1714. Spect., No. 617, ¶ 4. Our Friend … by the help of his Amanuensis, took down all their Names.
1765. Tucker, Lt. Nat., II. 446. Cæsar could dictate to three amanuenses together.
1860. Smiles, Self-Help, ii. 38. For many years after their marriage, she acted as his amanuensis.
