A document written entirely in the handwriting of the person whose signature it bears, especially a will or legal document. In legal contexts, such documents may be valid without witnesses because the handwriting itself serves as authentication.
From Greek holos (whole, entire) + graphein (to write), meaning 'entirely written' by one person. The term entered English legal vocabulary in the 17th century via Medieval Latin holographum. It emphasizes that every word, not just the signature, comes from the author's own hand.
A holograph is 'entirely written' by one person — the ultimate personal document! While we now think of holograms as futuristic 3D images, the original holograph was about complete authenticity in writing. It connects to autograph (self-writing) but goes further: not just your signature, but your entire written expression captured in your unique handwriting.
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