writ 1 : noun: a form of written command in the name of a court or other legal authority to act, or abstain from acting, in some way. Similar: process, decree, citation, subpoena ad testificandum, one's authority. Origin: Old English writ, as a general term denoting written matter, from the Germanic base of write. writ 2 :verb: archaic past participle of write. Phrases: writ large — clear and obvious. in a stark or exaggerated form. Google Dictionary Definitions from Oxford Languages