scribeshipn.
/ˈskrʌɪbʃɪp/, U.S. /ˈskraɪbˌʃɪp/ The office, position, or function of a scribe (in various senses of scribe n.1). Formerly also: †the art or skill of a scribe (obsolete).
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > writing > [noun] > writing as occupation
writingc1405
scriveneryc1454
clerkship1550
calligraphy1590
pencraft1600
scribeship1606
clerking1679
pen-and-inkmanship1804
clerkhood1873
clerkage1883
clerkery1883
clerkdom-
1606 G. Chapman Gentleman Vsher iii. i. sig. E3 A proper peece of Scribeship theres no doubt.
1624 R. Montagu Gagg for New Gospell? To Rdr. The Scribe was some puny-nouice in euery point of Scrib-ship.
1810 in Spirit of Public Jrnls. (1811) XIV. 149 That humble day When I and father walk'd the Dublin Quay; myself his scribe, and all my scribeship then To note how many casks were gaug'd, and when.
1893 Amer. Catholic Q. Rev. Jan. 181 The candidate for scribeship was placed in the hands of a practising scribe.
1991 L. Avrin Scribes, Script & Bks. iv. 98 One school text that admonishes ‘Be a scribe’ did not emphasize the material benefits of scribeship but rather the opportunity for immortality.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2018; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
n.1606