What's the difference between print and write? [closed]

In the past "writing" usually meant cursive writing for something handwritten. After Holmes asks "Why not write? What would it suggest, Watson?” Watson replies “That he desired to conceal his handwriting.” (The Adventure of the Red Circle)

My print Collins documents this sense:

write (v.)

6. To write (words) in cursive as opposed to printed style.

as does the collegiate Webster's New World Dictionary:

2. To form or inscribe (words) in cursive style: opposed to print.

The print New Oxford American Dictionary has:

(Intrans.) Write in a cursive hand, as opposed to printing individual letters.

However, I haven't yet found this sense in the OED or in an online dictionary. When I grew up, this was a distinction made in school: write meant cursive writing as opposed to print.


This form from the 1950s has a line for the Purchaser's Signature with the instruction "(WRITE DO NOT PRINT)"

Other examples of "Write do not print" on forms: Ex. 1 Ex. 2

"Please write (DO NOT PRINT) the following statement. Sign and date." appears in a 2002 Official LSAT Prep Test

But we took the gas bill over and found the appropriate desk. You had to be able to write your name or print it, and I was frightened because I never had the Spencerian copperplate hand that of course all the girls picked up. But with my tongue sticking out in concentration, I wrote my name, showed the gas bill, and got a temporary library card. Caterine Burns; The Moth

Please write or print so that your writing may be read by someone who is not familiar with your handwriting.
...
Again, you may use cursive writing or you may print. E. Silas et al.; Cracking the SSAT & ISEE


longhand (n.) presents a similar ambiguity:

a: Characters or words written out fully by hand

b: Cursive writing m-w


As far as I can determine, the verb print does not necessarily mean in all caps (unless so specified):

To write in letters shaped like those of ordinary roman text type m-w

where roman (text) means not in italics, i.e., any standard print font or letterforms.

Write (text) clearly without joining the letters.

Print your name and address on the back of the check Lexico