text

[ tekst ]

/ tɛkst /

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noun

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

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.

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

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

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

any theme or topic; subject.

the words of a song or the like.

a textbook.

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.

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

Printing.

black letter.
type, as distinguished from illustrations, margins, etc.

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

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

Digital Technology. a text message.

verb (used without object) Digital Technology.

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

verb (used with object) Digital Technology.

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

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

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of text

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

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

How to use text in a sentence

Rochester Institute of Technology students discovered lost text on 15th-century manuscript leaves using an imaging system they developed as freshmen.
College undergrads find hidden text on medieval manuscript via UV imaging|Jennifer Ouellette|November 20, 2020|Ars Technica
Finally, on April 4, the woman sent Clarkson a carefully worded text that she said had been ghostwritten by Fradley.
Junior Staffer Says Top Alaska Official Told Her to Keep Allegations of Misconduct Secret|by Kyle Hopkins, Anchorage Daily News|November 18, 2020|ProPublica
One is called “extractive,” which seeks to find a sentence or set of sentences from the text verbatim that captures its essence.
An AI helps you summarize the latest in AI|Karen Hao|November 18, 2020|MIT Technology Review
This is begun through the new Care Hub feature in the Alexa app, then confirmed via text message or email.
Amazon’s new ‘Care Hub’ lets Alexa owners keep tabs on aging family members|Sarah Perez|November 11, 2020|TechCrunch

Once selected, the user’s profile will feature the charity in red text just below their bio.
TikTok test lets users fundraise for charity from their profile|Sarah Perez|November 11, 2020|TechCrunch
King Lear becomes Lear texting “okay who wants a kingdom,” to which Goneril replies “me me I do.”
What Would Jane Eyre Sext?|Jennie Yabroff|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I remind Deen that his namesake died in an infamously horrible car crash, so he may want to cool it on texting and driving.
My Bizarre Night With James Deen, Libertarian Porn Star|Emily Shire|November 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
People are locked in texting, or whatever it is on their screens, and detached from their physical surroundings.
The End of New York: How One Blog Tracks the Disappearance of a Vibrant City|Tim Teeman|August 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And since WhatsApp is considered a form of texting, people are not obliged to comply.
Israel, Hamas, WhatsApp and Hacked Phones in the Gaza Psy-War|Itay Hod|July 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He may have been particularly exasperated because he had just been texting with his wife about dinner.
The Gentle Giant Cut Down by Cops|Michael Daly|July 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for text

text

/ (tɛkst) /

noun

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

the words of something printed or written

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

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

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

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

the topic or subject of a discussion or work

printing any one of several styles of letters or types

short for textbook

short for text message

verb

to send a text message from a mobile phone

Derived forms of text

textless, adjective

Word Origin for text

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

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

text

Origin of text

OTHER WORDS FROM text

Words related to text

How to use text in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for text

Derived forms of text

Word Origin for text