book
Other forms: books; booked; booking
For a lot of kids, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" was their first experience of really falling in love with a book, or a collection of printed words or illustrations bound together.
Book is a widely-known word with a whole lot of less well-known meanings. The noun book can refer to a bunch of pages bound together, as in a book you read, but also a book of tickets or stamps, a section of a larger work of literature (like a book of the Bible), or the written script of a stage play. Book can also be a verb meaning "to record information about a criminal suspect" or "to reserve," which you could use to say, "Let's book a room at the nicest hotel in Maui this winter."
Definitions of book
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physical objects consisting of a number of pages bound together“he used a large book as a doorstop”
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synonyms:
volume
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types:
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album
a book of blank pages with pockets or envelopes; for organizing photographs or stamp collections etc
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coffee-table book
an elaborate oversize book suitable for displaying on a coffee table
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folio
a book (or manuscript) consisting of large sheets of paper folded in the middle to make two leaves or four pages
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hardback, hardcover
a book with cardboard or cloth or leather covers
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journal
a record book as a physical object
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novel
a printed and bound book that is an extended work of fiction
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order book
a book in which customers' orders are entered; usually makes multiple copies of the order
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paper-back book, paperback, paperback book, soft-cover, soft-cover book, softback, softback book
a book with paper covers
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picture book
a book consisting chiefly of pictures
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sketch block, sketch pad, sketchbook
a book containing sheets of paper on which sketches can be drawn
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notebook
a book with blank pages for recording notes or memoranda
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autograph album
an album for autographs
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coloring book
a picture book with line drawings intended to be colored with crayons by children
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daybook, ledger
an accounting journal as a physical object
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diary
a personal journal (as a physical object)
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phonograph album, record album
an album for holding phonograph records
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photograph album
an album for photographs
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pocket book, pocket edition, pocketbook
pocket-sized paperback book
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scrapbook
an album into which clippings or notes or pictures can be pasted
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stamp album
an album for stamps
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commonplace book
a notebook in which you enter memorabilia
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jotter
a small notebook for rough notes
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playbook
a notebook containing descriptions and diagrams of the plays that a team has practiced (especially an American football team)
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type of:
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product, production
an artifact that has been created by someone or some process
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a number of sheets (ticket or stamps etc.) bound together on one edge“he bought a book of stamps”
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type of:
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product, production
an artifact that has been created by someone or some process
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product, production
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a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)“I am reading a good book on economics”
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examples:
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Das Kapital
a book written by Karl Marx (1867) describing his economic theories
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Erewhon
a satirical novel written by Samuel Butler (1872) describing a fictitious land
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Utopia
a book written by Sir Thomas More (1516) describing the perfect society on an imaginary island
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types:
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authority
an authoritative written work
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curiosa
books on strange or unusual subjects (especially erotica)
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formulary, pharmacopeia
(pharmacology) a book containing a compilation of pharmaceutical products with their formulas and methods of preparation
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trade book, trade edition
a book intended for general readership
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bestiary
a medieval book (usually illustrated) with allegorical and amusing descriptions of real and fabled animals
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catechism
an elementary book summarizing the principles of a Christian religion; written as questions and answers
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pop-up, pop-up book
a book (usually for children) that contains one or more pages such that a three-dimensional structure rises up when a page is opened
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storybook
a book containing a collection of stories (usually for children)
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tome
a (usually) large and scholarly book
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booklet, brochure, folder, leaflet, pamphlet
a small book usually having a paper cover
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school text, schoolbook, text, text edition, textbook
a book prepared for use in schools or colleges
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workbook
a student's book or booklet containing problems with spaces for solving them
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copybook
a book containing models of good penmanship; used in teaching penmanship
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appointment book, appointment calendar
a book containing a calendar and space to keep a record of appointments
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catalog, catalogue
a book or pamphlet containing an enumeration of things
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phrase book
a book containing common expressions in a foreign language along with their translations
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playbook
a book containing the scripts of one or more dramatic plays
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prayer book, prayerbook
a book containing prayers
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book of facts, reference, reference book, reference work
a book to which you can refer for authoritative facts
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review copy
a copy of a newly published book that is sent for review to a writer or periodical
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songbook
a book containing a collection of songs
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yearbook
a book published annually by the graduating class of a high school or college usually containing photographs of faculty and graduating students
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last word
an authoritative statement
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best seller, bestseller
a book that has had a large and rapid sale
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cookbook, cookery book
a book of recipes and cooking directions
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instruction book
a book of directions for using or operating some piece of equipment
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blue book
a blue booklet used in universities for writing examinations
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ticket book
a book of tickets that can be torn out and used
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crammer
a textbook designed for cramming
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introduction
a basic or elementary instructional text
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primer
an introductory textbook
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reader
one of a series of texts for students learning to read
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breviary
(Roman Catholic Church) a book of prayers to be recited daily certain priests and members of religious orders
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missal
(Roman Catholic Church) a book containing all the prayers and responses needed to celebrate Mass throughout the year
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Book of Psalms, Psalter
a collection of Psalms for liturgical use
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hymnal, hymnary, hymnbook
a songbook containing a collection of hymns
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source book
a collection of historically important documents published together as a book
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wordbook
a reference book containing words (usually with their meanings)
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enchiridion, handbook, vade mecum
a concise reference book providing specific information about a subject or location
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directory
an alphabetical list of names and addresses
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annual, yearbook, yearly
a reference book that is published regularly once every year
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atlas, book of maps, map collection
a collection of maps in book form
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cyclopaedia, cyclopedia, encyclopaedia, encyclopedia
a reference work (often in several volumes) containing articles on various topics (often arranged in alphabetical order) dealing with the entire range of human knowledge or with some particular specialty
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course catalog, course catalogue, prospectus
a catalog listing the courses offered by a college or university
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type of:
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publication
a copy of a printed work offered for distribution
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Das Kapital
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a major division of a long written composition“the book of Isaiah”
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examples:
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Book of Genesis
the first book of the Old Testament: tells of Creation; Adam and Eve; the Fall of Man; Cain and Abel; Noah and the flood; God's covenant with Abraham; Abraham and Isaac; Jacob and Esau; Joseph and his brothers
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Book of Exodus
the second book of the Old Testament: tells of the departure of the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt led by Moses; God gave them the Ten Commandments and the rest of Mosaic law on Mount Sinai during the Exodus
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Book of Leviticus
the third book of the Old Testament; contains Levitical law and ritual precedents
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Book of Numbers
the fourth book of the Old Testament; contains a record of the number of Israelites who followed Moses out of Egypt
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Book of Deuteronomy
the fifth book of the Old Testament; contains a second statement of Mosaic law
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Book of Joshua
a book in the Old Testament describing how Joshua led the Israelites into Canaan (the Promised Land) after the death of Moses
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Book of Judges
a book of the Old Testament that tells the history of Israel under the leaders known as judges
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Book of Ruth
a book of the Old Testament that tells the story of Ruth who was not an Israelite but who married an Israelite and who stayed with her mother-in-law Naomi after her husband died
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1 Samuel
the first of two books in the Old Testament that tell of Saul and David
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II Samuel
the second of two books of the Old Testament that tell of Saul and David
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1 Kings
the first of two Old Testament books telling the histories of the kings of Judah and Israel
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II Kings
the second of two Old Testament books telling the histories of the kings of Judah and Israel
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1 Chronicles
the first of two Old Testament books telling the history of Judah and Israel until the return from the Babylonian Captivity in 536 BC
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II Chronicles
the second of two Old Testament books telling the history of Judah and Israel until the return from the Babylonian Captivity in 536 BC
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Book of Ezra
an Old Testament book telling of a rabbi's efforts in the 5th century BC to reconstitute Jewish law and worship in Jerusalem after the Babylonian Captivity
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Book of Nehemiah
an Old Testament book telling how a Jewish official at the court of Artaxerxes I in 444 BC became a leader in rebuilding Jerusalem after the Babylonian Captivity
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Book of Esther
an Old Testament book telling of a beautiful Jewess who became queen of Persia and saved her people from massacre
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Book of Job
a book in the Old Testament containing Job's pleas to God about his afflictions and God's reply
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Book of Psalms
an Old Testament book consisting of a collection of 150 Psalms
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Book of Proverbs
an Old Testament book consisting of proverbs from various Israeli sages (including Solomon)
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Book of Ecclesiastes
an Old Testament book consisting of reflections on the vanity of human life; is traditionally attributed to Solomon but probably was written about 250 BC
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Canticle of Canticles
an Old Testament book consisting of a collection of love poems traditionally attributed to Solomon but actually written much later
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Book of Isaiah
an Old Testament book consisting of Isaiah's prophecies
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Book of Jeremiah
a book in the Old Testament containing the oracles of the prophet Jeremiah
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Book of Lamentations
an Old Testament book lamenting the desolation of Judah after the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC; traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah
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Book of Ezekiel
an Old Testament book containing Ezekiel's prophecies of the downfall of Jerusalem and Judah and their subsequent restoration
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Book of the Prophet Daniel
an Old Testament book that tells of the apocalyptic visions and the experiences of Daniel in the court of Nebuchadnezzar
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Book of Hosea
an Old Testament book telling Hosea's prophecies
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Book of Joel
an Old Testament book telling Joel's prophecies
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Book of Amos
an Old Testament book telling Amos's prophecies
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Book of Obadiah
an Old Testament book telling Obadiah's prophecies; the shortest book in the Christian Bible
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Book of Jonah
a book in the Old Testament that tells the story of Jonah and the whale
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Book of Micah
an Old Testament book telling the prophecies of Micah foretelling the destruction of Jerusalem
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Book of Nahum
an Old Testament book telling Nahum's prophecy of the fall of Nineveh
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Book of Habakkuk
an Old Testament book telling Habakkuk's prophecies
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Book of Zephaniah
an Old Testament book telling the prophecies of Zephaniah which are concerned mainly with the approaching judgment by God upon the sinners of Judah
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Book of Haggai
an Old Testament book telling the prophecies of Haggai which are concerned mainly with rebuilding the temples after the Babylonian Captivity
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Book of Zachariah
an Old Testament book telling the prophecies of Zechariah which are concerned mainly with the renewal of Israel after the Babylonian Captivity
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Book of Malachi
an Old Testament book containing the prophecies of Malachi
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Gospel According to Matthew
one of the Gospels in the New Testament; includes the Sermon on the Mount
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Gospel According to Mark
the shortest of the four Gospels in the New Testament
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Gospel According to Luke
one of the four Gospels in the New Testament; contains details of Jesus's birth and early life
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Gospel According to John
the last of the four Gospels in the New Testament
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Acts of the Apostles
a New Testament book describing the development of the early church from Christ's Ascension to Paul's sojourn at Rome
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Revelation of Saint John the Divine
the last book of the New Testament; contains visionary descriptions of heaven and of conflicts between good and evil and of the end of the world; attributed to Saint John the Apostle
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Additions to Esther
an Apocryphal book consisting of text added to the Book of Esther
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Prayer of Azariah and Song of the Three Children
an Apocryphal book consisting of text added to the Book of Daniel
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Book of Susanna
an Apocryphal book consisting of text added to the Book of Daniel
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Bel and the Dragon
an Apocryphal book consisting of text added to the Book of Daniel
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Book of Baruch
an Apocryphal book ascribed to Baruch
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Epistle of Jeremiah
an Apocryphal book consisting of a letter ascribed to Jeremiah to the Jews in exile in Babylon warning them against idolatry
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Book of Tobit
an Apocryphal book that was a popular novel for several centuries
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Book of Judith
an Apocryphal book telling how Judith saved her people
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1 Esdras
an Apocryphal book consisting of a compilation from I Chronicles and II Chronicles and Ezra and Nehemiah
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II Esdras
an Apocryphal book of angelic revelations
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Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach
an Apocryphal book mainly of maxims (resembling Proverbs in that respect)
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Wisdom of Solomon
an Apocryphal book consisting mainly of a meditation on wisdom; although ascribed to Solomon it was probably written in the first century BC
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1 Maccabees
an Apocryphal book describing the life of Judas Maccabaeus
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II Maccabees
an Apocryphal book describing the life of Judas Maccabaeus
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types:
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Epistle
a book of the New Testament written in the form of a letter from an Apostle
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type of:
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section, subdivision
a self-contained part of a larger composition (written or musical)
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a compilation of the known facts regarding something or someone“his name is in all the record books”
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synonyms:
record, record book
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types:
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logbook
a book in which the log is written
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won-lost record
(sports) a record of win versus losses
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card, scorecard
(golf) a record of scores (as in golf)
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bell book
a logbook in which all orders concerning the main engines of a ship are recorded
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type of:
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fact
a statement or assertion of verified information about something that is the case or has happened
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a collection of rules or prescribed standards on the basis of which decisions are made“they run things by the book around here”
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synonyms:
rule book
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type of:
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accumulation, aggregation, assemblage, collection
several things grouped together or considered as a whole
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accumulation, aggregation, assemblage, collection
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a written version of a play or other dramatic composition; used in preparing for a performance
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synonyms:
playscript, script
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types:
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prompt copy, promptbook
the copy of the playscript used by the prompter
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continuity
a detailed script used in making a film in order to avoid discontinuities from shot to shot
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dialog, dialogue
the lines spoken by characters in drama or fiction
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libretto
the words of an opera or musical play
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scenario
an outline or synopsis of a play (or, by extension, of a literary work)
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screenplay
a script for a film including dialogue and descriptions of characters and sets
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shooting script
the final detailed script for making a movie or TV program
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teleplay
a script adapted or written for television
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duologue
a part of the script in which the speaking roles are limited to two actors
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type of:
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dramatic composition, dramatic work
a play for performance on the stage or television or in a movie etc.
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a record in which commercial accounts are recorded“they got a subpoena to examine our books”
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synonyms:
account book, book of account, ledger, leger
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types:
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cost ledger
ledger showing the accumulated costs classified in various ways
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general ledger
the ledger that contains all of the financial accounts of a business; contains offsetting debit and credit accounts (including control accounts)
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subsidiary ledger
details of an account supporting the amount stated in the general ledger
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daybook, journal
a ledger in which transactions have been recorded as they occurred
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type of:
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record
a document that can serve as legal evidence of a transaction
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arrange for and reserve (something for someone else) in advance
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engage for a performance“Her agent had booked her for several concerts in Tokyo”
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type of:
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schedule
plan for an activity or event
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schedule
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register in a hotel booker
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type of:
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register
record in writing; enter into a book of names or events or transactions
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register
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record a charge in a police register
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a collection of playing cards satisfying the rules of a card game
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type of:
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accumulation, aggregation, assemblage, collection
several things grouped together or considered as a whole
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accumulation, aggregation, assemblage, collection
Pronunciation
US
/bʊk/
UK
/bʊk/
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