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Definition of copyist

copyist

/ˈkɑːpiɪst/
cop · y · ist
Plural:copyists
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copyist Lexical Profile

copyist Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A person whose occupation is making handwritten or typed copies of documents, manuscripts, or musical scores.

Example

"Before the invention of the printing press, a monastic copyist would spend months carefully transcribing a single manuscript."

2

A person who imitates the style, work, or ideas of another, especially in art or literature.

Example

"Critics dismissed the young painter as a mere copyist who lacked an original artistic vision of his own."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
View all antonyms for copyist

• Nearby Words

copyedit
copyediting
copyeditor
copyist
copyright
copyrightable
copywriter

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the late 17th century from the noun and verb 'copy' (ultimately from Latin 'copia', meaning 'abundance' or 'transcript') combined with the agent suffix '-ist'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Copyist. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/copyist
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