was anciently a deed which, requiring a counterpart, was engrossed twice on the same piece of parchment, counterpart; leaving a space between, wherein was written CHIROGRAPH; through the middle whereof the parchment was cut, sometimes straight, sometimes indentedly; and a moiety given to each of the parties. This was afterwards called dividenda, and charta divisiva; and was the same with what we now call charter-party. See CHARTER-PARTY. The first use of these chirographs, with us, was in the time of Henry III.

CHIROGRAPH was also anciently used for a fine; and the manner of engrossing the fines, and cutting the parchment in two pieces, is still retained in the office called the chirographer's office.