In old English law . A deed or indenture; also the last part of a fine of land. An instrument of gift or conveyance attested by the subscription and crosses of the witnesses, which was in Saxon times called CHIROGRAPH 198 CHOSE IN ACTION ” chirographum ,” and which, being somewhat changed in form and manner by the Normans, was by them styled “vharta.” Anciently when they made a chirograph or deed which required a counterpart , as we call it, they engrossed it twice upon one piece of parchment contrariwise, leaving a space between, in which they wrote in capital letters the word “chirograph,” and then cut the parchment in two through the middle of the word, giving a part to each party.
Black’s Law Online Dictionary
