ductus

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the characteristic direction, order, speed, and manner of the strokes used in handwriting or calligraphy

   The manuscript's rapid ductus helped the palaeographer identify the scribe's style.

2. 2
   noun

   a duct, canal, or tube in the body

   The diagram traced the ductus from the gland to its opening.

Borrowed from Latin ductus ("a leading, conducting; course"), from ducere ("to lead"). The anatomical sense retains the idea of a channel, while palaeography and calligraphy use ductus for the guided movement and sequence of written strokes.

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