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Tironian

Tironian

9.9
About the old Roman shorthand system invented by Tiro
  • adjective
  • /tɪˈroʊniən/
  • Specialized
: tironiano
  • The historian explained how Tironian shorthand was an essential tool for efficient note-taking in ancient Rome.

Examples

  • I have used "e" to transcribe the tironian sign.

    Academic text (1998)

  • I expand all abbreviations silently when necessary and use "e" to transcribe the tironian sign.

    Academic text (1998)

  • Many scholars today study Tironian methods to understand the writing practices of Cicero's time.

  • Some modern shorthand systems are still influenced by the principles of Tironian writing.

Surface Forms

Tironian positive

Morphology

Tironian = Tiro (semi-transparent) = Tiro + ian

Formed by adding the productive suffix '-ian' to the proper name Tiro; the morphological relation is regular but the base (Tiro) is historically specific and likely unknown to average learners.

Etymology

Tironian comes from Tiro, the secretary of the Roman speaker Cicero, who invented a fast system of notes or 'shorthand'. So Tironian describes things that are 'of Tiro' or part of his shorthand system.