Editing Uncial script (section)

==Half-uncial==
The term ''half-uncial'' or ''semi-uncial'' was first used in the mid-18th century by [[René Prosper Tassin]] and [[Charles François Toustain]], and despite its common use and understanding, it is not a very accurate name - it is not really derived from regular uncial, but it does look similar and shares many of its features; sometimes, especially when both were developing, the two scripts were used simultaneously in a mixed-uncial script.

Like uncial, half-uncial derived from Roman cursive. It was first used around the 3rd century and remained in use until the end of the 8th century. The early forms of half-uncial were used for pagan authors and Roman legal writing, while in the 6th century the script came to be used in Africa and Europe (but not as often in insular centres) to transcribe Christian texts. 

===Forms===
Some general forms of half-uncial letters are:
*a is usually round, sometimes with a slightly open top
*b and d have vertical stems, identical to the modern letters
*g has a flat top, no bow, and a curved descender (somewhat resembling the number 5)
*t has a curved shaft
*n, r, and s are similar to their uncial counterparts (with the same differences compared to modern letters)

Half-uncial was brought to Ireland in the 5th century, and was then carried to England. There, it was used up to the 8th century, and developed into the insular script after the 8th century.