WRITER TO THE SIGNET
\ɹˈa͡ɪtə tə ðə sˈɪɡnɪt], \ɹˈaɪtə tə ðə sˈɪɡnɪt], \ɹ_ˈaɪ_t_ə t_ə ð_ə s_ˈɪ_ɡ_n_ɪ_t]\
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In Scotch law. An officer nearly corresponding to anattorney at law, in English and American practice. "Writers to the signet," called also"clerks to the signet" derive their name from the circumstance that they were anciently clerks in the office of the secretary of state, by whom writs were prepared andissued under the royal signet or seal; and, when the signet became employed in judicialproceedings, they obtained a monopoly of the privileges of acting as agents or attorneysbefore the court of session. Brande, voc. "Signet."
By Henry Campbell Black
Word of the day
Snake's-head
- Guinea-hen flower; -- so called in England because its spotted petals resemble the scales of a snake's head.