Tironian Notes
/tɪˈroʊniən noʊts/noun
A system of shorthand traditionally attributed to Marcus Tullius Tiro, Cicero’s secretary and freedman.
Did you know?The Tironian ampersand, ⁊, developed from a shorthand form of the Latin word et, meaning “and,” and is still used in Irish writing.
Etymological Timeline
1st Century BCE
Latin
Tīrō
“The personal name of Cicero’s secretary and freedman, Marcus Tullius Tiro.”
1st Century BCE
Latin
notae Tironianae
““Tironian marks,” the shorthand signs associated with Tiro.”
1st–4th Century CE
Latin
notae
“Written signs, marks, or shorthand symbols; singular nota.”
9th Century
Latin
notae Tironianae
“A surviving scribal shorthand tradition used in medieval manuscripts.”
14th–16th Century
English
Tironian notes
“English term for the shorthand system attributed to Tiro.”
Modern English
English
Tironian notes
“The historical shorthand system, especially associated with the Tironian ampersand ⁊.”