n. 1 the main body of a book as distinct from notes, appendices, pictures, etc. 2 the original words of an author or document, esp. as distinct from a paraphrase of or commentary on them. 3 a passage quoted from Scripture, esp. as the subject of a sermon. 4 a subject or theme. 5 (in pl.) books prescribed for study. 6 US a textbook. 7 (in full text-hand) a fine large kind of handwriting esp. for manuscripts. text editor Computing a system or program allowing the user to enter and edit text. text processing Computing the manipulation of text, esp. transforming it from one format to another. textless adj.
[ ME f. ONF tixte, texte f. L textus tissue, literary style (in med.L = Gospel) f. L texere text- weave ]