DOCUMENT

document, strictly, in law, that which can serve as evidence or proof, and is written or printed, or has an inscription or any significance that can be "read"; thus a picture, authenticated photograph, seal or the like would furnish "documentary evidence." more generally the word is used for written or printed papers that provide information or evidence on a subject. the latin _documentum_, from which the word is derived, meant, in classical times, a lesson, example or proof (_docere_, to teach), and only in medieval latin came to be applied to an _instrumentum_, or record in writing. the classical latin use is found in english; thus jeremy taylor (works, ed. 1835, i. 815) speaks of punishment being a "single and sudden document if instantly inflicted" (see diplomatic; and evidence).