What is "writer to the signet"

Signet \Sig"net\, n. [OF. signet a signet, F., a bookmark, dim. of signe. See Sign, n., and cf. Sennet.] A seal; especially, in England, the seal used by the sovereign in sealing private letters and grants that pass by bill under the sign manual; -- called also privy signet.

I had my father's signet in my purse.
--Shak.

Signet ring, a ring containing a signet or private seal.

Writer to the signet (Scots Law), a judicial officer who prepares warrants, writs, etc.; originally, a clerk in the office of the secretary of state.

Writer \Writ"er\, n. [AS. wr[=i]tere.]

1. One who writes, or has written; a scribe; a clerk.

   They [came] that handle the pen of the writer.
   --Judg. v. 14.

   My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
   --Ps. xlv. 1.

2. One who is engaged in literary composition as a profession; an author; as, a writer of novels.

   This pitch, as ancient writers do report, doth defile.
   --Shak.

3. A clerk of a certain rank in the service of the late East India Company, who, after serving a certain number of years, became a factor.

   Writer of the tallies (Eng. Law), an officer of the exchequer of England, who acted as clerk to the auditor of the receipt, and wrote the accounts upon the tallies from the tellers' bills. The use of tallies in the exchequer has been abolished.
   --Wharton (Law. Dict.)

   Writer's cramp, Writer's palsy or Writer's spasm (Med.), a painful spasmodic affection of the muscles of the fingers, brought on by excessive use, as in writing, violin playing, telegraphing, etc. Called also scrivener's palsy.

   Writer to the signet. See under Signet.