ext_147905 ([identity profile] prettygoodword.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] 1word1day2015-01-15 08:04 am
Entry tags:

Thursday word: enchiridion

enchiridion (en-kay-RID-ee-uhn, en-ki-RID-ee-uhn) - n., a handbook, a concise treatise.


Everything you need to know about a subject in a book you can hold in your hand -- so a guidebook to a place, or the instruction manual for many electronic devices these days. Not a common word these days outside of theology, where ther are many works summarizing Christian doctrine that call themselves enchiridia (or enchiridions -- either plural is acceptable), such as the Enchiridion of Augustine. Adopted around 1540 from Late Latin enchīridion, from Greek encheirídion, handbook, from en-, in + cheír, hand + -idion, a diminutive suffix.

Rebuffed by Claire, the would-be pickup artist retreated to his booth to consult his enchiridion of tactics.

---L.

Post a comment in response:

This account has disabled anonymous posting.
If you don't have an account you can create one now.
HTML doesn't work in the subject.
More info about formatting