codex

noun

co·​dex ˈkō-ˌdeks 

plural codices ˈkō-də-ˌsēz  ˈkä- 

: a manuscript book especially of Scripture, classics, or ancient annals

Did you know?

In the 3rd and 4th centuries A.D., the codex began to replace the older scroll as the preferred form for longer writings. Unlike the scroll, this wonderful invention permitted writing on both sides of a sheet, made it easy to locate a particular passage, and could contain a very long piece of writing. Codices (note this unusual plural form) were usually written on parchment, the specially prepared skin of a sheep or goat, or papyrus, the ancestor of paper. Because codices were handwritten, there were few copies of any single codex, and sometimes only a single copy. Today we no longer write our books in longhand, but the modern book has kept basically the same form as the original codices.

Examples of codex in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The codex, previously thought to be the oldest in ancient Greek, was dated to the 11th century, and it wasn’t included in the Bible, according to the release. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 13 June 2024

The 104-page codex, which was written around 250 to 350 A.D., is one of the earliest books in existence, and one of the earliest witnesses to the spread of Christianity. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 12 June 2024

Studs are like codex for the alternative — unmistakable messaging that turns any chill fit into a statement. —Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024

The 104-page codex was written in Coptic on papyrus over the course of 40 years, Reuters noted. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin — more at code

First Known Use

1661, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

codex

noun

co·​dex ˈkō-ˌdeks 

plural codices ˈkōd-ə-ˌsēz  ˈkäd- 

: an official or standard collection of drug formulas and descriptions

a codex similar to the British Pharmaceutical Codex