copyist

noun

copy·​ist ˈkä-pē-ist How to pronounce copyist (audio)
1
: one who makes copies
2

Examples of copyist in a Sentence

she prides herself on being an innovator in fashion, and not a mere copyist some scholars argue that the vexing passage reflects a misreading of the text by an early copyist
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Material features can also include things like colophons—formulas at the end of a text that attest to its completeness and fidelity and often also include the name of the copyist—doodles in the margins, mistakes and corrections, even handwriting style. The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 22 Apr. 2025 The watercolor was recently rejected by specialists in 2020, who believe the copyist worked from a photograph of the work that was first published in 1904. Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 4 Oct. 2024 In an effort to thwart copyists, together these purist designers showed after the scheduled Fashion Week—and this was back when editors were still sailing to Paris from New York. Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 16 Nov. 2023 As befits an artist who began her career working as a music copyist for famed Miles Davis collaborator Gil Evans, one of her key early mentors, Schneider composes with such skill, verve and clarity that her orchestra becomes a unique instrument of her own making. San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2023 As previously announced, the 2022 Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre will be presented to the Asian American Performers Action Coalition (AAPAC); Broadway For All; music copyist, Emily Grishman; Feinstein’s/54 Below and United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829, IATSE. Paul Grein, Billboard, 9 May 2022 But her intention has been to draw inspiration and insight from each, without being a copyist. Jon Garelick, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Nov. 2022 Grishman is a music copyist for Broadway, Off-Broadway and regional theater, who works closely with composers, orchestrators and players. Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 May 2022 Kane was married eight times, including to singer-actress Jaye P. Morgan, agent Carol Faith and lastly, in 1981, to the former JoAnn Johnson, a studio music copyist. Jon Burlingame, Variety, 23 June 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1696, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of copyist was in 1696

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Cite this Entry

“Copyist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/copyist. Accessed 19 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

copyist

noun
copy·​ist ˈkäp-ē-əst How to pronounce copyist (audio)
1
: a person who makes copies
2
: one who imitates
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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