The LetterThomas Wilmer Dewing (1851–1938) |
holograph \HOL-uh-graf, -grahf, HOH-luh-\, adjective:
1. wholly written by the person in whose name it appears: a holograph letter.
noun:
1. a holograph writing, as a deed, will, or letter.
1. a holograph writing, as a deed, will, or letter.
Ex:
“An unexpectedly thoughtful young man," said Chase, straightening the frame of (Queen Victoria's holograph letter. Originally, he had planned to put the Emerson autograph between those of Longfellow and Tennyson but then he had had second thoughts about keeping a valuable letter addressed not so much to him as the Secretary of the Treasury and so, with a sad heart, he handed it over to the Treasure archives...
-- Gore Vidal, Lincoln: A Novel, 1984
Holograph entered English in the 18th century from the Greek holos + graph, meaning "whole written." ~ www.dictionary.com
So, in retrospect, this work of are could have been called The Holograph. Also, when I write love letters to Hubby, I'm actually writing love holographs. LOL Interesting, but it doesn't have quite the same punch as the word letter.
Cool... I've never run across that. I think I need more background in usage.
ReplyDelete