tome
Weighty scholarly work
A tome is a large, heavy book, often one volume of a larger work.
The word carries connotations of scholarly weight and physical heft: dusty tomes lined the library shelves.
It's frequently used with gentle irony for any imposing book: I'm halfway through that tome on Roman history.
Original text before publication
- codexAncient bound manuscript
- scrollWound document of parchment
- papyrusAncient plant-derived writing material
- parchmentTreated hide for manuscripts
vellum · illuminated · incunabulum · folio · palimpsest · scriptorium · antiquarian · archive
Comprehensive subject-matter collection
- encyclopaediaComprehensive topical reference
- compendiumCondensed reference collection
- lexiconVocabulary of a language
- handbookCompact reference guide
atlas · dictionary · thesaurus · manual · primer · glossary · catalog · directory
Rigid-bound book format
- paperbackBook with flexible cover
- novelNew and unusual
- literatureBody of written works
- readingInterpreting written text
chapters · prologue · epilogue · narrative · fiction · nonfiction · author · publisher
Single-topic scholarly work
- dissertationExtended academic treatise
- thesisAcademic argument requiring defense
- treatiseFormal scholarly composition
- academicRelating to education or theory
research · publication · footnotes · bibliography · peer-reviewed · discourse · analysis · critique
manuscript
Original text before publication
- codexAncient bound manuscript
- scrollWound document of parchment
- papyrusAncient plant-derived writing material
parchment · vellum · illuminated · incunabulum · folio · palimpsest · scriptorium · antiquarian · archive · rare books
encyclopedia
Comprehensive subject-matter collection
- encyclopaediaComprehensive topical reference
- compendiumCondensed reference collection
- lexiconVocabulary of a language
handbook · atlas · dictionary · thesaurus · manual · primer · glossary · catalog · directory · gazetteer
hardcover
Rigid-bound book format
- paperbackBook with flexible cover
- novelNew and unusual
- literatureBody of written works
reading · chapters · prologue · epilogue · narrative · fiction · nonfiction · author · publisher · bestseller
monograph
Single-topic scholarly work
- dissertationExtended academic treatise
- thesisAcademic argument requiring defense
- treatiseFormal scholarly composition
academic · research · publication · footnotes · bibliography · peer-reviewed · discourse · analysis · critique · scholarship
scripture
Sacred religious writings
Talmud · Tanakh · sutra · missal · breviary · lectionary · hymnal · psalter · gospel · testament
- booksnovel, textbooks, study guides, book, paperback
- fantasywizard, witch, magic, dragon, elf
- artifactspottery shards, knives, masks, pottery, antiquity
- prosenovel, novels, short story, novellas, essay
- written worksessay, novel, anthologies, history books, letter
- book collectingbibliophiles, first editions, rare books, first edition, antiquarian
tomepamphlet
Unbound topical booklet
pulp fiction · beach read · potboiler · dime novel · penny dreadful
- ancient tomeVery old book