chirograph

noun

chi·​ro·​graph

ˈkīrəˌgraf

plural -s

1

: any of various legal instruments formally written or signed: such as

a

: an indenture formerly made in duplicate on one sheet, the sheet or parchment being divided and often the word chirographum written in where the division was made

b

: the indenture of a fine of lands

also : one of the counterparts of such an indenture

c

: an obligation (as a bond or note) given in one's own handwriting

2

: an apostolic letter in the handwriting and with the signature of the pope

Word History

Etymology

Middle French chirographe, from Latin chirographum autograph, that which is written with one's own hand, from neuter of Greek cheirographos written with the hand, from cheir- chir- + -graphos -graph

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