(Notarius), signifies a person, usually some scrivener, who takes notes, or frames short draughts, of contracts, obligations, charter parties, or other writings. At present we call him a notary public, who publicly attests deeds or writings, in order to make them authentic in another nation; but he is principally employed in business concerning merchants; as making protests of bills of exchange, &c. And noting a bill, is where he goes to take notice of a merchant's refusal to accept or pay the same.