uncial Hear it!

uncial Definition

un·cial (un′s̸hē əl, -s̸həl)

adjective

designating or of a form of large, rounded letter used in the script of Greek and Latin manuscripts between 300 and 900

Etymology: L uncialis, of an inch, inch-high < uncia, a twelfth part, inch

noun

  1. an uncial letter
  2. an uncial manuscript
  3. uncial script

uncial Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

  • late: Some of the later uncials, however, contain earlier texts to a greater or less degree; and these deserve a separate mention.
  • Greek: This manuscript was written in the fourth century, and is consequently as old as the oldest Greek uncials of the Bible.
  • old: Dean Burgon knew what these old ancient Uncials were.
  • sloping: The handwriting, as shewn in the specimen, exhibits the sloping uncials which are characteristic of the eighth and ninth centuries.
  • leading: One of the best minuscules of the Acts, ranking in quality with the leading uncials.

Modifies a noun

  • manuscript: There are few, if any, divisions between words in uncial manuscripts and no punctuation to speak of.
  • hand: This is a most valuable copy of the Prophets, written in Egypt in the sixth century, in a fine bold uncial hand.
  • font: Gaelic uncial I find it useful to classify uncial fonts on a three-point scale of ornateness.
  • script: The text is written in an uncial script - a luxury script using large, rounded letterforms.
  • style: The result is a well-balanced script that is both easier to read, and quicker to write, than the older Uncial style.
  • letter: Uncial letters formal book scripts - were widely used from the fifth to the eighth centuries.