handbook

Pronunciation: /ˈhændˌbʊk/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a concise reference book providing specific information about a subject or location

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”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

enchiridion, vade mecum

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
reference book
Narrower (hyponyms)
reckoner, manual, bible, guidebook

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