How Do You Spell CHIROGRAPH?

Pronunciation: [kˈa͡ɪɹəɡɹˌaf] (IPA)

Chirograph is a rare word that refers to a legal document written by hand. Its spelling may seem confusing, but it follows a straightforward pattern. The "ch" sound is pronounced as a voiceless velar fricative /k/, while the "i" is pronounced as a long "ee" sound /iː/. The "ro" is pronounced the same as in the word "row" /rəʊ/, and the final "graph" is pronounced with a hard "f" sound /ɡræf/. So, when sounding out the word, it would be pronounced as /kɪərəʊɡræf/.

CHIROGRAPH Meaning and Definition

1. Chirograph is a noun that refers to a legal document or written instrument, typically relating to financial transactions, loans, or debts. In its primary sense, it describes a document that contains two or more identical copies of a written agreement or contract, each of which is signed or executed by the involved parties. These copies are then separated, with one copy being held by each party as evidence of their mutual obligations. This practice ensures the security and authenticity of the agreement, as both parties possess a document that matches the other precisely.

   Historically, chirographs were frequently used in medieval times when written contracts were relatively uncommon. They gained prevalence in legal matters, particularly in Anglo-Norman law, where they became an important method to establish proof and enforce agreements. Chirographs often contained terms and conditions related to land transactions, loans, or personal debts, formalizing the obligations of each party involved.

   Furthermore, in a broader sense, the term chirograph can also be used metaphorically to describe any handwritten or autographed document. Its root comes from the Latin word "chirographum," which means "a written instrument or document in duplicate." The term chirograph reflects the duplicate nature of these documents, which helped to protect parties by providing two trustworthy copies for reference and authentication.

Common Misspellings for CHIROGRAPH

• xhirograph
• vhirograph
• fhirograph
• dhirograph
• cgirograph
• cbirograph
• cnirograph
• cjirograph
• cuirograph
• cyirograph
• churograph
• chjrograph
• chkrograph
• ch9rograph
• ch8rograph
• chieograph
• chidograph
• chifograph
• chitograph

Etymology of CHIROGRAPH

The word Chirograph has its roots in the Greek language. It comes from the combination of two Greek words: cheir meaning hand and grapho meaning write or record. The term was later borrowed into Latin as chirographum with the same meaning. From Latin, it entered Middle English as chirographe and eventually evolved into its current form, chirograph.