A precept in writing, couched in the form of a letter, running in the name of the king, president, or state, issuing from a court of justice, and sealed with its seal,addressed to a sheriff or other officer of the law, or directly to the person whose action the court desires to command, either as the commencement of a suit or other proceeding or as incidental to Its progress, and requiring the performance of a specified act, or giving authority and commission to have it done.For the names and description of various particular writs, see the following titles.In old English law. An Instrument In the form of a letter; a letter or letters of attorney. This is a very ancient sense of the word.In the old books, ÒwritÓ is used as equivalent to Òaction;Ó hence writs are sometimes divided into real, personal, and mixed.In Scotch law. A writing; an instrument in writing, as a deed, bond, contract, etc. 2 Forb. Inst, pt 2, pp. 175-179.
