Definition

Noun A manuscript in the form of a set of loose leaves or pages, as opposed to a continuous roll (scroll). This format, often used for ancient or medieval texts, represents an early stage in the development of the modern book.

Usage

The term is used in historical, literary, and library science contexts to describe a specific physical format of a manuscript. * Scholars studied the leaf-book to understand the transition from scrolls to bound codices. * The library's collection includes several precious leaf-books from the early medieval period.

Advanced Usage

• The format, or codex, allowed for easier reference to specific passages compared to a scroll.

Variants and Related Words

• Codex (n): A more common and general term for an ancient manuscript in book form, consisting of pages bound together.
• Folio (n): Can refer to a leaf of paper or parchment, especially one numbered only on the front. A collection of folios can constitute a .
• Manuscript (n): A broader term for any handwritten document, which can be in scroll, , or codex format.

Synonyms

• Unbound manuscript
• Loose-leaf manuscript

Related Phrases/Idioms

(This specific term is a technical descriptor and is not commonly used in idiomatic expressions.)

Noun

1. an unbound manuscript of some ancient classic (as distinguished from a scroll)