'Written laws' definitions:

Definition of 'Written laws'

From: GCIDE
  • Write \Write\, v. t. [imp. Wrote; p. p. Written; Archaic imp. & p. p. Writ; p. pr. & vb. n. Writing.] [OE. writen, AS. wr[imac]tan; originally, to scratch, to score; akin to OS. wr[imac]tan to write, to tear, to wound, D. rijten to tear, to rend, G. reissen, OHG. r[imac]zan, Icel. r[imac]ta to write, Goth. writs a stroke, dash, letter. Cf. Race tribe, lineage.] [1913 Webster]
  • 1. To set down, as legible characters; to form the conveyance of meaning; to inscribe on any material by a suitable instrument; as, to write the characters called letters; to write figures. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. To set down for reading; to express in legible or intelligible characters; to inscribe; as, to write a deed; to write a bill of divorcement; hence, specifically, to set down in an epistle; to communicate by letter. [1913 Webster]
  • Last night she enjoined me to write some lines to one she loves. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • I chose to write the thing I durst not speak To her I loved. --Prior. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Hence, to compose or produce, as an author. [1913 Webster]
  • I purpose to write the history of England from the accession of King James the Second down to a time within the memory of men still living. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. To impress durably; to imprint; to engrave; as, truth written on the heart. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. To make known by writing; to record; to prove by one's own written testimony; -- often used reflexively. [1913 Webster]
  • He who writes himself by his own inscription is like an ill painter, who, by writing on a shapeless picture which he hath drawn, is fain to tell passengers what shape it is, which else no man could imagine. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • To write to, to communicate by a written document to.
  • Written laws, laws deriving their force from express legislative enactment, as contradistinguished from unwritten, or common, law. See the Note under Law, and Common law, under Common, a. [1913 Webster]