amanuensis
Say it: uh-man-yoo-EN-sis /əˌmænjuˈɛnsɪs/ · noun
What “amanuensis” means
Someone who writes down what another person dictates.
More precisely: A person who writes down dictation or helps a writer with their work.
When to use it
In historical or literary discussion of a writer's helper, especially someone taking dictation rather than composing independently.
Memory trick
The Latin phrase a manu means 'by hand': another person's hand records the words.
Similar words
scribe, secretary, assistant
Where it comes from
Latin, from a manu, 'by hand'.
Quick check
A novelist speaks each paragraph aloud while an assistant writes down the exact words. What is the assistant acting as?
a ghostwriter or an amanuensis?
Show the answer
an amanuensis
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