cúrsive

Cúrsive is a term used to describe a style of handwriting and, more broadly, type design in which the letters within a word are formed to flow into each other. In practical writing, cúrsive enables a continuous motion of the pen, reducing the need to lift the pen between letters. In typography, cúrsive fonts aim to imitate this flowing, connected appearance.

Key characteristics include letter connections, a generally rightward slant, and a coherent stroke pattern that favors speed and fluency over strict uniformity. Variants range from strictly connected scripts to more loosely styled forms. Some fonts labeled cursive are true connected scripts, while others merely simulate cursive by adding ligatures or stylistic flourishes.

Historically, the development of connected handwriting began in Europe during the early modern period. By the 17th to 19th centuries, formal hands such as Copperplate and Spencerian were widely taught and produced highly decorative, highly legible connected writing. In the 20th century, school curricula in many countries introduced explicit cursive instruction, with methods such as D’Nealian and Zaner-Bloser in the United States. In recent decades, some educational systems have reduced emphasis on cursive, citing digital writing and print literacy.

In digital typography, cursive appears in fonts marketed as handwriting-inspired. In CSS, cursive is a generic font family suggested to the browser, with the concrete look depending on the installed typefaces. The term remains primarily a descriptor of style rather than a single standardized script.