book English · revision 2016

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=c. 725 (Old English bōc)|origins=gem-pro *bōks}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /bʊk/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|bok]], [[inh|ang|bōc|t=writing tablet, written document]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(AHD 2000) from [[gem-pro|*bōks]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) whose cognates include [[ofs|bōk]], [[osx|bōk]], [[goh|buoh]] (modern [[de|Buch]]) and [[non|bók]], and Gothic has bōka “letter of the alphabet”.^(Barnhart 1988)^(SOED 2002)^(MW Collegiate) It is usually connected with the Germanic word for [[beech]], on the idea that runes were carved on beechwood tablets,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(AHD 2000)^(SOED 2002)^(Hoad 1986) but Etymonline notes phonetic difficulties with this,^(Etymonline) and RHWU says no relation to ''beech'' is known.^(RHWU) The Latin word for book, [[m|la|liber]], the source of [[library]], likewise first meant the inner bark of a tree.^(AHD 2000)^(Etymonline) The verb is [[m|ang|bōcian|t=to grant by charter]], from the noun.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(COED 2004)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A writing tablet, a written document, and collectively writings: Old English ''bōc'', about 725, in a translation of the Book of Daniel.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) It was also used of charters granting land.^(NODE 1998)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ By early Middle English the sense had narrowed to a long written work of many pages bound together, and to a literary composition of any length.^(Etymonline) A main division of a larger work is a ''book'' from about 1200.^(Etymonline) The spelling ''book'' appears in Chaucer, about 1375.^(Barnhart 1988) A play's script is a ''book'' from 1592,^(HTOED) the libretto of an opera from 1768,^(Etymonline) and a record of bets from 1812,^(Etymonline) hence the ''bookmaker'', who “makes a book” of bets.^(Cresswell 2021) In the 19th century ''book'' could mean a magazine, and in the 20th a telephone directory.^(Etymonline) The total of criminal charges against someone is ''the book'' from 1926, hence ''throw the book at'' (1932).^(Etymonline) The verb meant “to grant land by charter” in Old English (966), “to enter in a record” from about 1200,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) “to reserve a seat or issue a railway ticket” from 1841, and “to engage a performer” from 1872.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 725 – Old English ''bōc''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 966 – verb ''bōcian'', to grant by charter.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1200 – a division of a larger work; verb, to record.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1375 – the spelling ''book'' (Chaucer).^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1592 – the script of a play.^(HTOED)

+ * 1768 – a libretto.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1812 – a betting book.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1841 – verb, to reserve a seat.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1872 – verb, to engage a performer.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1932 – ''throw the book at''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A set of written, printed or blank pages fastened along one side between covers.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # A written or printed literary work.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # A main division of a longer work.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # A [[ledger]] or record of accounts, and (plural) business records.^(AHD)

+ # The [[libretto]] of an opera or the script of a play.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # A record of bets.^(Etymonline)^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To enter in a book or list; to register.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # To record charges against (a suspect).^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # To arrange for in advance; to [[reserve]].^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # To engage (a performer).^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[booker]]

+ * [[bookful]]

+ * [[bookable]]

+ * [[bookless]]

+ * [[booklike]]

+ * [[booking]]

+ * [[double-book]]

+ * [[overbook]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[beech]]

+ * [[booklet]]

+ * [[bookish]]

+ * [[bookmaker]]

+ * [[library]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The AHD groups the verb with ''bespeak'', ''engage'' and ''reserve'', all meaning to have something set aside in advance for one's use.^(AHD)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}