Main Entry: ¹book

Pronunciation: \ˈbu̇k\

Function: noun

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

Date: before 12th century

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