■ noun
1》 a written or printed work regarded in terms of content rather than form.
↘the original words of an author or document.
↘ Computing data corresponding to a body of writing.
2》 the main body of a book or other piece of writing, as distinct from appendices, illustrations, etc.
3》 a written work chosen as a subject of study.
↘a passage from the Bible or other religious work, especially as the subject of a sermon.
4》 a ~ message.
5》 (also ~-hand ) archaic fine, large handwriting, used especially for manuscripts.
■ verb send a ~ message to.
Derivatives
~less adjective
Origin
ME: from Old North. Fr. ~e , from L. ~us 'tissue, literary style' (in med. L., 'Gospel'), from ~- , texere 'weave'.