Definition: Manuscript refers to a written work or document produced by someone, usually a professional writer who has been hired by an editor to compile, revise, and format it for publication. The word "manuscript" has its origin in ancient Latin for "writing" - but with the addition of "manus", which means hand (or writing) - and "scriptum", which is short for script, the traditional alphabet used to write on paper. So the term originally meant anything that was written or produced by a human being. It later came to mean a work or document that has been prepared before publication. The word "manuscript" is also frequently used as a technical term in science and engineering, referring to any kind of recorded data or information that has not yet been published but is needed for the study of scientific processes and theories. In modern usage, the word "manuscript" can be used to refer to any written document - whether it is an article, a book, a research report, or even a personal note. It can also be used as a verb meaning to prepare something for publication, such as writing down details before presenting them at a conference. Overall, the word "manuscript" has a wide range of meanings and uses across various fields, from academic publishing to scientific research to personal communication.