ancient official documents; litigation documents
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesnoun
ancient official documents and record-keeping
formalRefers historically to the work of scribes who recorded on bamboo slips, using a knife to scrape off mistakes. The term combines 'knife' (刀, for correction) and 'brush' (笔, for writing).
In ancient times, the scribes were responsible for recording important documents.
He was skilled in official documentation and was an important clerk in the yamen.
noun
litigation documents; the craft of legal petition writing
derogatoryIn later usage, the term shifted to refer specifically to the writing of legal complaints or indictments. It often carries a derogatory connotation, implying craftiness or nitpicking in legal wording.
This person is an old hand at legal petition writing; the complaints he drafts are watertight.
He is skilled in legal petition writing and specializes in helping people with lawsuits.
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That legal scribe's litigation arguments are extremely tricky.