book

¹book

noun \ˈbu̇k\

: a set of printed sheets of paper that are held together inside a cover : a long written work

: a long written work that can be read on a computer

: a set of sheets of paper that are inside a cover and that you can write information on

Full 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

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

²book

adjective

: learned from reading books and not from experience

Full Definition of BOOK

1

:  derived from books and not from practical experience <book learning>

2

:  shown by books of account <book assets>

Examples of BOOK

1. His schooling provided him with extensive book knowledge.
2. She had plenty of book learning but no hands-on experience.

First Known Use of BOOK

13th century

Other Education Terms

baccalaureate, colloquium, corequisite, dissertation, monograph, pedant, practicum, survey course, thesis

³book

verb

: to make arrangements so that you will be able to use or have (something, such as a room, table, or seat) at a later time

: to make arrangements for (someone) to do, use, or have something at a later time

: to schedule a performance or appearance by (someone, such as a musician)

Full Definition of BOOK

transitive verb

1

a :  to register (as a name) for some future activity or condition (as to engage transportation or reserve lodgings) <he was booked to sail on Monday>

b :  to schedule engagements for <book the band for a week>

c :  to set aside time for

d :  to reserve in advance <book two seats at the theater> <were all booked up>

2

a :  to enter charges against in a police register

b of a referee :  to note the name or number of (as a soccer player) for a serious infraction of the rules

intransitive verb

1

:  to make a reservation <book through your travel agent>

2

chiefly British :  to register in a hotel —usually used with in

3

slang :  leave, go; especially :  to depart quickly

— book·able \ˈbu̇-kə-bəl\ adjective, chiefly British

— book·er noun

Examples of BOOK

1. They booked two seats at the theater.
2. They booked tickets for a direct flight from London to New York.
3. I booked a table at our favorite restaurant.
4. She booked through her travel agent.
5. We will need to book early.
6. She booked me on a flight from Oslo to Paris.
7. He was booked to sail on Monday.
8. The band was booked to play at the reception.

First Known Use of BOOK

1807

Related to BOOK

Synonyms

bespeak, reserve

Antonyms

arrive, come, show up, turn up

Related Words

earmark; contract, engage, hire, retain

Near Antonyms

abide, dwell, lodge, remain, settle, stay, tarry; approach, close, near; hit, land, reach

book

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Written (or printed) message of considerable length, meant for circulation and recorded on any of various materials that are durable and light enough to be easily portable. The papyrus roll of ancient Egypt is more nearly the direct ancestor of the modern book than is the clay tablet; examples of both date to c. 3000 BC. Somewhat later, the Chinese independently created an extensive scholarship based on books, many made of wood or bamboo strips bound with cords. Lampblack ink was introduced in China c. AD 400 and printing from wooden blocks in the 6th century. The Greeks adopted the papyrus roll and passed it on to the Romans. The parchment or vellum codex superseded the papyrus roll by AD 400. Medieval parchment or vellum leaves were prepared from the skins of animals. By the 15th century, paper manuscripts were common. Printing spread rapidly in the late 15th century. Subsequent technical achievements, such as the development of offset printing, improved many aspects of book culture. In the late 1990s, downloadable electronic books became available over the Internet.