MS.1
abbreviation of manuscript (L. manu scriptum). Formerly also MS{supt}, erron. MSS{supt}. The form MSS. is used for the pl. manuscripts; by some writers also (after the custom in mod.Latin) for manuscript adj. when agreeing with a plural n.
| 1670 Blount Glossogr. (ed. 3), M.S. stands for manuscriptum, a Manuscript. 1699 Bentley Phal. Introd. 22 To shew that it was not taken out of some ancient MS. Ibid. 32 Though some of the MSS Copies of Eusebius date it vi Years before. 1709 MS{supt} [see matter n.1 19 d]. 1716 Hearne Collect. (O.H.S.) V. 334 A little MSS{supt}. containing MSS. Additions to Guil. Neubr. 1780 C. Burney in Louisa Twining Recreat. & Stud. (1882) 82 A coachfull of the MSS. I had collected for my ‘History’. 1798 Brit. Crit. XI. 111 A selection of all the most important readings from MSS. editions, and versions. 1883 A. Barratt's Phys. Metempiric Pref. 21 He generally kept his MSS. at his chambers in Lincoln's Inn. |
¶ b. Treated jocularly as a word (ɛm ɛs).
| 1818 Byron Occas. Pieces, To Mr. Murray ii, To thee..The unfledged MS. authors come. 1821 ― Vis. Judgm. cii, He..drew forth an MS. |