text

[ tekst ]
See synonyms for text on Thesaurus.com
noun

  1. the main body of matter in a manuscript, book, newspaper, etc., as distinguished from notes, appendixes, headings, illustrations, etc.

  2. the original words of an author or speaker, as opposed to a translation, paraphrase, commentary, or the like: The newspaper published the whole text of the speech.

  1. the actual wording of anything written or printed: You have not kept to the text of my remarks.

  2. any of the various forms in which a writing exists: The text is a medieval transcription.

  3. the wording adopted by an editor as representing the original words of an author: the authoritative text of Catullus.

  4. any theme or topic; subject.

  5. the words of a song or the like.

  6. a textbook.

  7. a short passage of Scripture, especially one chosen in proof of a doctrine or as the subject of a sermon: The text he chose was the Sermon on the Mount.

  8. the letter of the Holy Scripture, or the Scriptures themselves.

  9. Printing.

    • black letter.

    • type, as distinguished from illustrations, margins, etc.

  10. Linguistics. a unit of connected speech or writing, especially composed of more than one sentence, that forms a cohesive whole.

  11. anything considered to be a subject for analysis by or as if by methods of literary criticism.

  12. Digital Technology. a text message.

verb (used without object)Digital Technology.

  1. to send a text message: Texting while driving is an accident asking to happen.

verb (used with object)Digital Technology.

  1. to send a text message about or containing: He texted congratulations to his niece on her new job.: Compare instant message (def. 2).

  2. to send a text message to: The only way I can ever reach her is to text her.

Origin of text

1
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Medieval Latin textus “text, terms,” Latin: “text, structure,” originally, “pattern of weaving, texture (of cloth),” equivalent to tex(ere) “to weave” + -tus suffix of verbal action

Other words from text

  • textless, adjective

Words Nearby text

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use text in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for text

text

/ (tɛkst) /

noun

  1. the main body of a printed or written work as distinct from commentary, notes, illustrations, etc

  2. the words of something printed or written

  1. (often plural) a book prescribed as part of a course of study

  2. computing the words printed, written, or displayed on a visual display unit

  3. the original exact wording of a work, esp the Bible, as distinct from a revision or translation

  4. a short passage of the Bible used as a starting point for a sermon or adduced as proof of a doctrine

  5. the topic or subject of a discussion or work

  6. printing any one of several styles of letters or types

  7. short for textbook

  8. short for text message

verb

  1. to send a text message from a mobile phone

Origin of text

1
C14: from Medieval Latin textus version, from Latin textus texture, from texere to compose

Derived forms of text

  • textless, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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