Handbook

Handbook

A handbook is a type of reference work, or other collection of instructions, that is intended to provide ready reference. A vade mecum (lat. "go with me") or pocket reference is intended to be carried at all times.

Handbooks may deal with any topic, and are generally compendiums of information in a particular field or about a particular technique. They are designed to be easily consulted and provide quick answers in a certain area. For example, the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers is a reference for how to cite works in MLA style, among other things.

"Handbook" is sometimes applied to documents that are produced within an organization that are not designed for publication -- such as a company handbook for HR, for instance. In this case, the term is used nearly synonymously with "manual."

The name "handbook" may sometimes be applied to reference works that are not pocket-sized, but do provide ready reference, as is the case with several engineering handbooks such as "Perry's Chemical Engineers' Handbook", "Marks Standard Handbook for Mechanical Engineers", and the "CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics". Handbooks are widely used in the sciences as quick references for various kinds of data.

ee also

* Compendium
* Encyclopedia

External links

* [http://www.rostra.dk/latin/saxo.html Vademecum in opus Saxonis et alia opera Danica compendium ex indice verborum] - a Medieval Latin dictionary


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  • handbook — hand‧book [ˈhændbʊk] noun [countable] a book that provides information on a particular subject or explains how to do something; = GUIDE: • Safety regulations are discussed in section 3 of the handbook. * * * handbook UK US /ˈhændbʊk/ noun [C] ► a …   Financial and business terms

  • Handbook — Hand book ( b[oo^]k ), n. [Hand + book; cf. AS. handb[=o]c, or G. handbuch.] 1. A book of reference, to be carried in the hand; a manual; a guidebook. [1913 Webster] 2. A book containing reference information for a specific field; as, the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • handbook — index directory, pandect (treatise) Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • handbook — O.E. handboc; see HAND (Cf. hand) (n.) + BOOK (Cf. book). It translates L. manualis, and was displaced in M.E. by MANUAL (Cf. manual) (from French), and later in part by ENCHIRIDION (Cf. enchiridion) (from Greek). Reintroduced 1814, but execrated …   Etymology dictionary

  • handbook — A USPS directive that documents the procedures needed to implement USPS policy stated in manuals …   Glossary of postal terms

  • handbook — [n] document giving instruction, information bible, compendium, directory, enchiridion, encyclopedia, fundamentals, guide, guidebook, instruction book, manual, text, textbook, vade mecum; concept 280 …   New thesaurus

  • handbook — ► NOUN ▪ a book giving information such as basic facts or instructions …   English terms dictionary

  • handbook — [hand′book΄] n. [OE handboc, transl. of L manuale (see MANUAL): modern senses infl. by Ger handbuch] 1. a compact reference book on some subject; manual of facts or instructions 2. GUIDEBOOK (sense 1) ☆ 3. a book in which bets are recorded, as on …   English World dictionary

  • handbook — /hand book /, n. 1. a book of instruction or guidance, as for an occupation; manual: a handbook of radio. 2. a guidebook for travelers: a handbook of Italy. 3. a reference book in a particular field: a medical handbook. 4. a scholarly book on a… …   Universalium

  • handbook — n. a handbook for (a handbook for beginners) * * * [ hændbʊk] a handbook for (a handbook for beginners) …   Combinatory dictionary

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