Definition of transcript

The word "transcript" can be traced back to the 1530s, when it first appeared in English literature as "transscrypte," meaning "a copy (of a document)," specifically in the context of legal proceedings. The term "transscrypte" was derived from the Medieval Latin word "transcriptus," which translates to "copied across." The prefix "trans-" in "transcript" denotes motion or change across or beyond, indicating that the copy of a document is being moved or transported from one place or format to another. The root word "script" in "transcript" denotes something written, meaning that a transcript is essentially a written copy of an original document or spoken words. Over time, the meaning of "transcript" has evolved to encompass more specific contexts, such as court transcripts, academic transcripts, and scientific transcripts. In education, a transcript is often defined as an official document that lists a student's academic record and achievements, while in science, it refers to the sequence of DNA or RNA molecules that makes up a specific gene. In its most general sense, however, the term "transcript" refers to any document that accurately reproduces the contents of an original, whether it's a legal proceeding, lecture, or genetic material.