write
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
As "to WRITE one’s name on a joint," to leave the impression of one’s handiwork thereon, to have the first cut at anything; to leave visible traces of one’s presence anywhere.
Era: ca. 1874 (Victorian)
Where it’s used:
Origin
British & Irish English
Sources & notes
Historical definition reproduced from Hotten’s The Slang Dictionary (1874, public domain; Project Gutenberg #42108, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “write” mean?
As "to WRITE one’s name on a joint," to leave the impression of one’s handiwork thereon, to have the first cut at anything; to leave visible traces of one’s presence anywhere.
Is “write” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.