Bible | n. [ F. bible, L. biblia, pl., fr. Gr. bibli`a, pl. of bibli`on, dim. of bi`blos, by`blos, book, prop. Egyptian papyrus. ] 1. A book. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. The Book by way of eminence, -- that is, the book which is made up of the writings accepted by Christians as of divine origin and authority, whether such writings be in the original language, or translated; the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments; -- sometimes in a restricted sense, the Old Testament; as, King James's Bible; Douay Bible; Luther's Bible. Also, the book which is made up of writings similarly accepted by the Jews; as, a rabbinical Bible. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. A book containing the sacred writings belonging to any religion; as, the Koran is often called the Muslim Bible. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. (Fig.) A book with an authoritative exposition of some topic, respected by many who are experts in the field; as, the astrologers' bible. [ PJC ] Bible Society, an association for securing the multiplication and wide distribution of the Bible. -- Douay Bible. See Douay Bible. -- Geneva Bible. See under Geneva. [ 1913 Webster ]
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