Stenographing

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. The process involving the rapid transcription of speech utilizing shorthand systems for efficient writing A technique that encompasses creating a written representation of spoken dialogue in an abbreviated form The skill of capturing spoken language in a shortened writing format through specialized notation methods
2. The technique whereby spoken words are transcribed rapidly using a system of shorthand symbols and notation for quick writing
3. The act of swiftly recording spoken words using a system designed for abbreviated writing

Etymology: Stenographing is the present participle of "stenograph," which is built from two Greek elements: "steno-," from Greek "stenos," meaning "narrow" or "close," and "-graph," from "graphein," meaning "to write." The combination literally means "writing narrowly" or "close writing," and the name reflects the compact symbols used to capture speech at close to the speed it is spoken. The idea behind the name is that a shorthand writer compresses words into short marks, so the writing takes up less space and can keep pace with a speaker. Taken together, the two parts describe the method exactly, and the ending "-ing" simply turns the verb into a continuous form for the activity itself.