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n. 1. a. The original words of something written or printed, as opposed to a paraphrase, translation, revision, or condensation. b. The words of a speech appearing in print. c. Words, as of a libretto, that are set to music in a composition. d. Words treated as data by a computer. e. A text message. 2. The body of a printed work as distinct from headings and illustrative matter on a page or from front and back matter in a book. 3. One of the editions or forms of a written work: After examining all three manuscripts, he published a new text of the poem. 4. Something, such as a literary work or other cultural product, regarded as an object of critical analysis. 5. A passage from the Scriptures or another authoritative source chosen for the subject of a discourse or cited for support in argument. 6. A passage from a written work used as the starting point of a discussion. 7. A subject; a topic. 8. A textbook. v. text·ed, text·ing, texts v.tr. 1. To send a text message to: She texted me when she arrived at the airport. 2. To communicate by text message: He texted that he would be late. v.intr. To key or send text messages: She was texting in class and missed what was said. [Middle English texte, from Old French, from Late Latin textus, written account, from Latin, structure, context, body of a passage, from past participle of texere, to weave, fabricate; see teks- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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