book

¹book

noun \ˈbu̇k\

Definition of BOOK

1

a : a set of written sheets of skin or paper or tablets of wood or ivory b : a set of written, printed, or blank sheets bound together into a volume c : a long written or printed literary composition d : a major division of a treatise or literary work e : a record of a business's financial transactions or financial condition —often used in plural <the books show a profit> f : magazine 4a g : e-book

2

capitalized : bible 1

3

: something that yields knowledge or understanding <the great book of nature> <her face was an open book>

4

a (1) : the total available knowledge and experience that can be brought to bear on a task or problem <tried every trick in the book> (2) : inside information or analysis <the book on him is that he can't hit a curveball> b : the standards or authority relevant in a situation <run by the book>

5

a : all the charges that can be made against an accused person <threw the book at him> b : a position from which one must answer for certain acts : account <bring criminals to book>

6

a : libretto b : the script of a play c : a book of arrangements for a musician or dance orchestra : musical repertory

7

: a packet of items bound together like a book <a book of stamps> <a book of matches>

8

a : bookmaker b : the bets registered by a bookmaker; also : the business or activity of giving odds and taking bets

9

: the number of tricks a cardplayer or side must win before any trick can have scoring value

— book·ful \ˈbu̇k-ˌfu̇l\ noun

— in one's book

: in one's own opinion

— in one's good books

: in favor with one

— one for the book

: an act or occurrence worth noting

— on the books

: on the records

Examples of BOOK

1. The shelves in his office are filled with books.
2. That's one of the best books I've read in a long time.
3. a novelist who has written some wonderful books
4. The library has many dictionaries and other reference books.
5. the books of the Bible
6. a story that is told in the Book of Job

Origin of BOOK

Middle English, from Old English bōc; akin to Old High German buoh book, Gothic boka letter

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to BOOK

Synonyms: tome, volume

Related Words: hardback, hardcover, paper, paperback, paperbound, pocket book, pocket edition, softback, softcover, trade book, trade edition; folio, quarto; guidebook, handbook, how-to, manual; catalog (or catalogue), cyclopedia (also cyclopaedia), dictionary, encyclopedia; monograph, primer, text, textbook, tract, treatise; novel, novelette, pulp; album, almanac, anthology, casebook, chapbook, nonbook, omnibus, picture book

Near Antonyms: ancient history, open secret

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Publishing Terms

annotate, dreadful, emend, expurgate, factoid, jump, lobster shift, redaction, referee

Rhymes with BOOK

brook, chook, cook, Cook, crook, hook, look, nook, rook, schnook, shook, snook, stook