n.
Pronunciation: ' bu ̇ k
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English b ō c; akin to Old High German buoh book, Gothic boka letter
Date: before 12th century
1 a : a set of written sheets of skin or paper or tablets of wood or ivory b : a set of written, printed, or blank sheets bound together into a volume c : a long written or printed literary composition d : a major division of a treatise or literary work e : a record of a business's financial transactions or financial condition ― often used in plural <the book s show a profit> f : MAGAZINE 4A g : E-BOOK
2 capitalized : BIBLE 1
3 : something that yields knowledge or understanding <the great book of nature> <her face was an open book >
4 a (1) : the total available knowledge and experience that can be brought to bear on a task or problem <tried every trick in the book > (2) : inside information or analysis <the book on him is that he can't hit a curveball> b : the standards or authority relevant in a situation <run by the book >
5 a : all the charges that can be made against an accused person <threw the book at him> b : a position from which one must answer for certain acts : ACCOUNT <bring criminals to book >
6 a : LIBRETTO b : the script of a play c : a book of arrangements for a musician or dance orchestra : musical repertory
7 : a packet of items bound together like a book <a book of stamps> <a book of matches>
8 a : BOOKMAKER b : the bets registered by a bookmaker also : the business or activity of giving odds and taking bets
9 : the number of tricks a cardplayer or side must win before any trick can have scoring value
– book · ful \ ' bu ̇ k- ˌ fu ̇ l \ noun
– in one's book : in one's own opinion
– in one's good books : in favor with one
– one for the book : an act or occurrence worth noting
– on the books : on the records