text

(tĕkst)
n.
1.
a. The original words of something written or printed, as opposed to a paraphrase, translation, revision, or
condensation.
b. The words of a speech appearing in print.
c. Words, as of a libretto, that are set to music in a composition.
d. Words treated as data by a computer.
e. A text message.
2. The body of a printed work as distinct from headings and illustrative matter on a page or from front and
back matter in a book.
3. One of the editions or forms of a written work: After examining all three manuscripts, he published a
new text of the poem.
4. Something, such as a literary work or other cultural product, regarded as an object of critical analysis.
5. A passage from the Scriptures or another authoritative source chosen for the subject of a discourse or
cited for support in argument.
6. A passage from a written work used as the starting point of a discussion.
7. A subject; a topic.
8. A textbook.
v. text·ed, text·ing, texts
v.tr.
1. To send a text message to: She texted me when she arrived at the airport.
2. To communicate by text message: He texted that he would be late.
v.intr.
To key or send text messages: She was texting in class and missed what was said.

[Middle English texte, from Old French, from Late Latin textus, written account, from Latin, structure,
context, body of a passage, from past participle of texere, to weave, fabricate; see teks- in Indo-
European roots.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton
Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All
rights reserved.

text
(tɛkst)
n
1. (Journalism & Publishing) the main body of a printed or written work as distinct from commentary,
notes, illustrations, etc
2. the words of something printed or written
3. (Education) (often plural) a book prescribed as part of a course of study
4. (Computer Science) computing the words printed, written, or displayed on a visual display unit
5. (Literary & Literary Critical Terms) the original exact wording of a work, esp the Bible, as distinct from a
revision or translation
6. (Ecclesiastical Terms) a short passage of the Bible used as a starting point for a sermon or adduced as
proof of a doctrine
7. the topic or subject of a discussion or work
8. (Printing, Lithography & Bookbinding) printing any one of several styles of letters or types
9. (Education) short for textbook
10. (Telecommunications) short for text message
vb
(Telecommunications) to send a text message from a mobile phone
[C14: from Medieval Latin textus version, from Latin textus texture, from texere to compose]
ˈtextless adj
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers
1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

text
(tɛkst)

n.
1. the main body of matter in a manuscript, book, etc., as distinguished from notes, appendixes,
illustrations, etc.
2. the actual, original words of an author or speaker, as opposed to a translation, paraphrase, or the like.
3. any of the various forms in which a writing exists: The text is a medieval transcription.
4. the wording adopted by an editor as representing the original words of an author: the authoritative text
of Catullus.
5. any theme or topic.
6. the words of a song or the like.
7. a textbook.
8. a short passage of Scripture, esp. one chosen in proof of a doctrine or as the subject of a sermon.
9.
a. black letter.
b. type, as distinguished from illustrations, margins, etc.
10. Ling. a unit of connected speech or writing that forms a cohesive whole.
11. anything considered to be a subject for analysis by or as if by methods of literary criticism.
[1300–50; Middle English < Medieval Latin textus text, terms, Latin: weaving pattern, structure]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005,
1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

text
– article
1. 'text'
The text of a book or magazine is the main written part of it, rather than the introduction, pictures, or
index.
The illustrations and text were beautifully produced.
2. 'article'
You do not refer to a piece of writing written for a newspaper or magazine as a 'text'. You call it an article.
Four years ago Clive Norling wrote an article in the Times.
Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012