vade mecum
[vey-dee mee-kuh m, vah-]
noun, plural va·de me·cums.
something a person carries about for frequent or regular use.
a book for ready reference; manual; handbook.
RELATED WORDS
essay, album, novel, publication, dictionary, pamphlet, text, work, manual, textbook, fiction, volume, edition, magazine, booklet, brochure, writing, copy, tome, paperback
Origin of vade mecum
First recorded in 1620–30, vade mecum is from the Latin word vāde mēcum literally, go with me
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for vade mecum
Historical Examples of vade mecum
This is a metaphor, borrowed partly from the grazier's vocabulary, and partly from the arithmetician's vade-mecum.
Tales And Novels, Volume 4 (of 10)Maria Edgeworth
The bow at that time was his vade-mecum; he never left it home.
Hunting with the Bow and ArrowSaxton Pope
The passage in The Rhetorician's Vade-mecum is the chief authority for their style.
The Works of Lucian of Samosata, v. 4Lucian of Samosata
This excellent handbook will prove a perfect Vade-mecum to those engaged in the practical work of Mining and Metallurgy.
A Textbook of Assaying: For the Use of Those Connected with Mines.Cornelius Beringer and John Jacob Beringer
It was her vade-mecum—good against rain, or sun, or mad bulls, or troublesome dogs.
Mount Royal, Volume 1 of 3Mary Elizabeth Braddon
vade mecum
noun
Word Origin for vade mecum
C17: from Latin, literally: go with me
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper