— textless , adj.
/tekst/ , n.
1. the main body of matter in a manuscript, book, newspaper, etc., as distinguished from notes, appendixes, headings, illustrations, etc.
2. the original words of an author or speaker, as opposed to a translation, paraphrase, commentary, or the like: The newspaper published the whole text of the speech.
3. the actual wording of anything written or printed: You have not kept to the text of my remarks.
4. any of the various forms in which a writing exists: The text is a medieval transcription.
5. the wording adopted by an editor as representing the original words of an author: the authoritative text of Catullus.
6. any theme or topic; subject.
7. the words of a song or the like.
8. a textbook.
9. a short passage of Scripture, esp. one chosen in proof of a doctrine or as the subject of a sermon: The text he chose was the Sermon on the Mount.
10. the letter of the Holy Scripture, or the Scriptures themselves.
11. Print.
a. See black letter .
b. type, as distinguished from illustrations, margins, etc.
12. Ling. a unit of connected speech or writing, esp. composed of more than one sentence, that forms a cohesive whole.
13. anything considered to be a subject for analysis by or as if by methods of literary criticism.
[ 1300-50; ME textus text, terms, L: text, structure, orig., pattern of weaving, texture (of cloth), equiv. to tex ( ere ) to weave + -tus suffix of v. action ]