scrivener's palsy

Writer Writ"er, n. [AS. wr[=i]tere.] [1913 Webster] 1. One who writes, or has written; a scribe; a clerk. [1913 Webster]

They [came] that handle the pen of the writer. --Judg. v. 14. [1913 Webster]

My tongue is the pen of a ready writer. --Ps. xlv. 1. [1913 Webster]

2. One who is engaged in literary composition as a profession; an author; as, a writer of novels. [1913 Webster]

This pitch, as ancient writers do report, doth defile. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

3. A clerk of a certain rank in the service of the late East India Company, who, after serving a certain number of years, became a factor. [1913 Webster]

{Writer of the tallies} (Eng. Law), an officer of the exchequer of England, who acted as clerk to the auditor of the receipt, and wrote the accounts upon the tallies from the tellers' bills. The use of tallies in the exchequer has been abolished. --Wharton (Law. Dict.)

{Writer's cramp}, {Writer's palsy} or {Writer's spasm} (Med.), a painful spasmodic affection of the muscles of the fingers, brought on by excessive use, as in writing, violin playing, telegraphing, etc. Called also {scrivener's palsy}.

{Writer to the signet}. See under {Signet}. [1913 Webster]