book

book · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A written or printed work consisting of pages bound together.

  2. 2.

    To reserve or make arrangements for something in advance.

  3. 3.

    A main division of a literary work.

  4. 4.

    To officially record a charge against someone.

  5. 5.

    A record of bets or financial transactions.

  6. 6.

    A set of rules or standards.

Forms

plural: books

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    book it — to leave quickly; to run
  • •
    by the book — according to rules or regulations
  • •
    an open book — someone easy to understand
  • •
    throw the book at someone — to punish severely
  • •
    hit the books — to study hard
  • •
    cook the books — to falsify financial records
  • •
    in someone's good/bad books — in favor or disfavor

Related words

See also: novel, read, text, volume
Synonyms: publication, text, tome, volume, work

Etymology

From Old English "boc" meaning book or writing, from Proto-Germanic "*bokō" related to beech tree, as early writing was done on beech bark or wooden tablets.