Definition

1. Noun:

   • A book used for the study of a subject in a school or college: A "textbook" is a manual of instruction, typically containing a comprehensive compilation of content in a particular branch of study, structured for educational use.

2. Adjective:

   • Being a characteristic and perfect example of something; classic: When used as an adjective, "textbook" describes something that is so typical or exemplary that it could serve as a model example in a textbook.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The biology textbook is required for the course.
  • She opened her history textbook to chapter five.

• Adjective:

  • His recovery was a textbook case of successful surgery.
  • The team executed a textbook play to score the winning goal.

Advanced Usage

• "A textbook example/case of [something]": A perfect, classic, or quintessential example that clearly illustrates a principle, condition, or method.
  • The investigation was a textbook example of police procedure.
  • Her behavior was a textbook case of cognitive dissonance.

Variants and Related Words

• Text (noun): The main body of a book or written work, distinct from illustrations or notes. (Note: While related, "text" is a broader term and not a direct variant of "textbook").
• Casebook (noun/adjective): A book containing records of legal or medical cases, used for study. Often used similarly to "textbook" as an adjective (e.g., ).

Synonyms

• Noun: Manual, primer, coursebook, schoolbook.
• Adjective: Classic, quintessential, model, paradigmatic, archetypal.

Related Phrases

• Textbook answer/solution: An answer or solution that is exactly as taught in a textbook; perfectly correct by conventional standards.
  • She gave the textbook answer to the constitutional question.
• Textbook definition: The standard, formal definition of a term as found in authoritative sources.
  • That is the textbook definition of a monopoly.

Related Idioms

• By the textbook: Doing something strictly according to the established rules or standard procedures.
  • The officer handled the situation strictly by the textbook.

Adjective

1. according to or characteristic of a casebook or textbook; typical
   • a casebook schizophrenic
   • a textbook example

Noun

1. a book prepared for use in schools or colleges
   • his economics textbook is in its tenth edition
   • the professor wrote the text that he assigned students to buy