writ small

English

Etymology

From writ (“written”) + small, by analogy with writ large.

Adjective

writ small (comparative writ smaller, superlative writ smallest)

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see writ,‎ small,‎ smaller,‎ smallest.
2. (figuratively) Miniaturized; on a small scale.
   • 2019 February 20, Katrin Bennhold, “Would You Die for Europe? A Binational Battalion Offers an Answer”, in The New York Times‎^[1], New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 15 February 2026:

     The military base in Lohheide is the continent’s difficult history writ small.

Usage notes

Usually placed after the noun modified.

Antonyms

• writ large