Note of hand

Note Note, n. [F. note, L. nota; akin to noscere, notum, to know. See {Know}.] 1. A mark or token by which a thing may be known; a visible sign; a character; a distinctive mark or feature; a characteristic quality. [1913 Webster]

Whosoever appertain to the visible body of the church, they have also the notes of external profession. --Hooker. [1913 Webster]

She [the Anglican church] has the note of possession, the note of freedom from party titles,the note of life -- a tough life and a vigorous. --J. H. Newman. [1913 Webster]

What a note of youth, of imagination, of impulsive eagerness, there was through it all ! --Mrs. Humphry Ward. [1913 Webster]

2. A mark, or sign, made to call attention, to point out something to notice, or the like; a sign, or token, proving or giving evidence. [1913 Webster]

3. A brief remark; a marginal comment or explanation; hence, an annotation on a text or author; a comment; a critical, explanatory, or illustrative observation. [1913 Webster]

The best writers have been perplexed with notes, and obscured with illustrations. --Felton. [1913 Webster]

4. A brief writing intended to assist the memory; a memorandum; a minute. [1913 Webster]

5. pl. Hence, a writing intended to be used in speaking; memoranda to assist a speaker, being either a synopsis, or the full text of what is to be said; as, to preach from notes; also, a reporter's memoranda; the original report of a speech or of proceedings. [1913 Webster]

6. A short informal letter; a billet. [1913 Webster]

7. A diplomatic missive or written communication. [1913 Webster]

8. A written or printed paper acknowledging a debt, and promising payment; as, a promissory note; a note of hand; a negotiable note. [1913 Webster]

9. A list of items or of charges; an account. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

Here is now the smith's note for shoeing. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

10. (Mus.) (a) A character, variously formed, to indicate the length of a tone, and variously placed upon the staff to indicate its pitch. Hence: (b) A musical sound; a tone; an utterance; a tune. (c) A key of the piano or organ. [1913 Webster]

The wakeful bird . . . tunes her nocturnal note. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

That note of revolt against the eighteenth century, which we detect in Goethe, was struck by Winckelmann. --W. Pater. [1913 Webster]

11. Observation; notice; heed. [1913 Webster]

Give orders to my servants that they take No note at all of our being absent hence. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

12. Notification; information; intelligence. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

The king . . . shall have note of this. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

13. State of being under observation. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

Small matters . . . continually in use and in note. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]

14. Reputation; distinction; as, a poet of note. [1913 Webster]

There was scarce a family of note which had not poured out its blood on the field or the scaffold. --Prescott. [1913 Webster]

15. Stigma; brand; reproach. [Obs.] --Shak. [1913 Webster]

{Note of hand}, a promissory note. [1913 Webster]