The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer to the question is A) Yes.
The word “writa” is the Old English verb meaning “to write.” Specifically, it is the infinitive form, equivalent to our modern “to write.” This word forms the direct historical root of the one we use today and was a cornerstone of communication and record keeping during the Anglo-Saxon period, which lasted from roughly the 5th to the 12th century.
Pronounced with a silent “w,” much like our modern words “wrong” or “wreck,” “writa” was a fundamental term for the act of inscribing characters. Its use would have been common among the scribes, often monks, who meticulously copied manuscripts, as well as for creating legal documents, poetry, and historical records like the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. The verb belongs to a strong class of verbs in Old English, which is why its past tense forms are irregular, a trait inherited by its modern descendant (write, wrote, written).
This ancient word is part of a family of related terms. For example, “gewrit” referred to a piece of writing, a document, or even scripture, while a “writere” was a writer or a scribe. Over centuries, as the English language evolved through Middle English, “writa” transformed into “writen” and eventually settled into the familiar “write.” While “writa” itself is no longer in use, understanding its origin provides a fascinating glimpse into the linguistic heritage of English and the long, unbroken history of the written word. In modern contexts, “Writa” might also appear as a rare proper name or a brand name, but its primary significance remains firmly rooted in history.
