1. Civil law. A handwritten instrument.
2. A written deed, subscribed and witnessed.
— Also termed cyrographum.
3. Such a deed in two parts from a single original document separated by an indented line through the word chirographum, each party retaining one part.
4. Hist. FOOT OF THE FINE.
— Also termed (in sense 4) cyrographarius. — chirographic, adj.
“Formerly, when deeds were more concise than at present, it was usual to write both parts on the same piece of parchment, with some word or letters of the alphabet written between them; through which the parchment was cut, either in a straight or indented line, in such a manner as to leave half the word on one part and half on the other. Deeds thus made were denominated syngrapha by the canonists; and with us chirographa, or hand-writings.” 2 William Blackstone, Commentaries on the Laws of England 295–96 (1766).
