handbook
/ˈhændˌbʊk/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 3.86 in modern English
18
Scrabble Score
8
Letters
2
Syllables
7
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A topically organized book of reference on a certain field of knowledge, regardless of size, but archetypally one to be kept readily at hand.
Example Sentences
- "The extent of the business done in this line is not understood by those who have not looked into it. In New York there are 50 pool rooms and 500 handbooks; in East St. Louis, 20 handbooks; in Chicago, 5 pool rooms and 200 handbooks; […]"
- "Persons subject to his rule can be found operating, in addition to the wire service, wire service relays, handbooks, gambling houses, prostitution establishments, coin-operated device companies, bars, restaurants, night clubs, motels, […]"
Etymology
From Middle English handbok, from Old English handbōc (“handbook”), possibly reinforced as a calque of German Handbuch (“handbook”). By surface analysis, hand + book. Compare West Frisian hânboek (“handbook”), Dutch handboek (“handbook”), German Low German Handbook (“handbook”), Danish håndbog (“handbook”), Swedish handbok (“handbook”), Icelandic handbók (“handbook”).
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: handbok, handbōc
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈhændˌbʊk/
- British English: /ˈhændˌbʊk/
Usage
- American usage