How Do You Spell UN-WRITTEN?

Pronunciation: [ˈʌnɹˈɪtən] (IPA)

The word "un-written" is quite a peculiar one, as it is not spelled as it sounds. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is pronounced as /ʌn ˈrɪtən/. The spelling of the word is a result of its morphological structure, where the prefix "un-" denotes negation, and the root word "written" describes something that has already been written. Therefore, the spelling of "un-written" is a combination of the two morphemes, and not based purely on its phonetics.

UN-WRITTEN Meaning and Definition

  1. "Unwritten" refers to something not expressed or recorded in written form. It is an adjective that denotes concepts, rules, laws, conventions, or customs that are not formally documented but are widely understood or followed in a particular society or community.

    In many contexts, "unwritten" refers to informal or implicit guidelines that are passed down through generations, shaping behavior, expectations, or norms. These unwritten rules often govern social interactions, professional conduct, or cultural practices. They are often ingrained in the collective consciousness of a group of people and are typically reinforced through observation, experience, or oral communication.

    "Unwritten" can also refer to unrecorded historical events or knowledge that has been transmitted orally and not documented in written sources. Such historical information might be based on legends, myths, folklore, or the memories of individuals from older generations.

    Additionally, "unwritten" can describe ideas, emotions, or experiences that are difficult to articulate or express in written words. These may include complex feelings, tacit understanding, or intangible concepts that are best conveyed through nonverbal communication or experienced through firsthand observation.

    Overall, "unwritten" signifies aspects of human existence that exist beyond the realm of written documentation, encompassing societal customs, intangible knowledge, and nuanced human experiences.

Common Misspellings for UN-WRITTEN

  • unpwritten
  • un0-written
  • un-0written
  • unp-written
  • un-pwritten
  • un--written
  • u.-written

Etymology of UN-WRITTEN

The word "un-written" is composed of two elements: "un-" and "written".

The prefix "un-" is a common English prefix meaning "not" or "opposite of". It is derived from the Old English "un-" or "on-", which was equivalent to the German prefix "un-". Over time, this prefix has become a standard way to indicate negation or reversal in English words.

The word "written" is the past participle of the verb "write". It comes from the Old English word "writan", which has Germanic origins. The root of "write" can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "writaną" and the Proto-Indo-European word "wreyd-", both meaning "to scratch" or "to carve".