Text \Text\ (t[e^]kst), n. [F. texte, L. textus, texture,
structure, context, fr. texere, textum, to weave, construct,
compose; cf. Gr. te`ktwn carpenter, Skr. taksh to cut, carve,
make. Cf. Context, Mantle, n., Pretext, Tissue,
Toil a snare.]
1. A discourse or composition on which a note or commentary
is written; the original words of an author, in
distinction from a paraphrase, annotation, or commentary.
--Chaucer.
2. (O. Eng. Law) The four Gospels, by way of distinction or
eminence. [R.]
3. A verse or passage of Scripture, especially one chosen as
the subject of a sermon, or in proof of a doctrine.
How oft, when Paul has served us with a text, Has
Epictetus, Plato, Tully, preached! --Cowper.
4. Hence, anything chosen as the subject of an argument,
literary composition, or the like; topic; theme.
5. A style of writing in large characters; text-hand also, a
kind of type used in printing; as, German text.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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