Dictionary:

 book |bŏk|

noun1 a written or printed work consisting of pages glued or sewn together along one side and bound in covers : a book of selected poems | a book on cats | [as adj. ] a book report.• a literary composition that is published or intended for publication as such a work : the book is set in the 1940s | I'm writing a book.• ( the books) used to refer to studying : he is so deep in his books he would forget to eat.• a main division of a classic literary work, an epic, or the Bible : the Book of Genesis.• the libretto of an opera or musical, or the script of a play.• ( the book) the local telephone directory : is your name in the book?• ( the Book) the Bible.• informal a magazine.• figurative an imaginary record or list (often used to emphasize the thoroughness or comprehensiveness of someone’s actions or experiences) : she felt every emotion in the book of love.2 [with adj. ] a bound set of blank sheets for writing or keeping records in : an accounts book.• ( books) a set of records or accounts : he can do more than balance the books.• a bookmaker's record of bets accepted and money paid out.3 a set of tickets, stamps, matches, checks, samples of cloth, etc., bound together : a pattern book | a book of matches.• ( the book) the first six tricks taken by the declarer in a hand of bridge.verb [ trans. ]1 reserve (accommodations, a place, etc.); buy (a ticket) in advance : I have booked a table at the Swan | [ intrans. ] book early to avoid disappointment.• reserve accommodations for (someone) : his secretary had booked himinto the Howard Hotel [with two objs. ] book me a single room at my usual hotel.• engage (a performer or guest) for an occasion or event.• ( be booked ( up)) have all appointments or places reserved; be full: I'm booked till, like, 2008.2 make an official record of the name and other personal details of (a criminal suspect or offender) : the cop booked me and took me down to the station.PHRASESbring someone to book bring someone to justice; punish.by the book strictly according to the rules : a cop who doesn't exactly play it by the book.close the book on lay aside; expend no further energy on : Congress closed the book on wool subsidies.in someone's bad (or good) books chiefly Brit. in disfavor (or favor) with a person.in my book in my opinion : that counts as a lie in my book.make book take bets on the outcome of an event : figurative I wouldn't make book on it.one for the books an extraordinary feat or event.on the books contained in a book of laws or records : discriminatory laws still on the books | the longest pitching career on the books.People of the Book Jews and Christians as regarded by Muslims.suit one's book Brit. be convenient to one : it didn't suit her book at all to be moved.take a leaf from (or out of) someone's book imitate or emulate someone in a particular way : Gorbachev must take a leaf from Deng's book and offer tangible benefits.throw the book at informal charge or punish (someone) as severely aspossible.wrote the book be the leader in the field : John wrote the book on goatpacking.you can't judge a book by its cover proverb outward appearances are not a reliable indication of true character.DERIVATIVESbookable adjectiveORIGIN Old English bōc (originally also [a document or charter] ),bōcian [to grant by charter,] of Germanic origin; related to Dutch boekand German Buch, and probably to beech (on which runes were carved).

Thesaurus: 

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