Sentence:  The origin of <WSD>shorthand</WSD> writing has been variously attributed to the Egyptians, the Greeks and the Romans. It is not unlikely that some form of stenography, or method of (comparatively) rapid writing by means of signs or characters briefer than those of the script ordinarily in use, was developed independently among the penmen or scribes of many early nations. [...] But the natural eagerness of stenographers to claim great antiquity for their art has sometimes tempted them to cite as references to <WSD>shorthand</WSD> passages which do not necessarily bear any such meaning. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  A rough and rapid method of writing by substituting symbols for letters, words, etc.