Uncial

Uncial

Uncial is a majuscule script commonly used from the 4th to 8th centuries AD by Latin and Greek scribes. The term itself is derived from the Latin uncialis, which means inch-high, referring to the large size of the letters. Uncial script is characterized by its rounded, capital letter forms, which were influenced by the earlier Roman cursive and square capital scripts. The letters are typically written separately, with minimal joining strokes, and feature a distinctive appearance with broad, sweeping curves and flourishes. This style of writing was particularly prevalent in the production of early Christian texts and was used for many important manuscripts, such as the Codex Bezae and the Codex Claromontanus. The use of uncial script declined in the 8th century as it was gradually replaced by the more compact and efficient minuscule scripts, such as the Carolingian minuscule. However, its legacy can still be seen in the development of later medieval scripts and in the design of some modern typefaces that draw inspiration from this ancient writing style

calligraphy, typography, manuscript, paleography

— John Armstrong

CITATION : "John Armstrong. 'Uncial.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/define/uncial?E=433510 (Accessed on October 14, 2026)"