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A handbook is a type of
reference work
A reference work is a work, such as a paper, book or periodical (or their electronic equivalents), to which one can refer for information. The information is intended to be found quickly when needed. Such works are usually ''referred'' to ...
, or other collection of instructions, that is intended to provide ready reference. The term originally applied to a small or portable book containing information useful for its owner, but the ''
Oxford English Dictionary
The ''Oxford English Dictionary'' (''OED'') is the first and foundational historical dictionary of the English language, published by Oxford University Press (OUP). It traces the historical development of the English language, providing a co ...
'' defines the current sense as "any book ... giving information such as facts on a particular subject, guidance in some art or occupation, instructions for operating a machine, or information for tourists."
Oxford English Dictionary Online
accessed 23 March 2017.
A handbook is sometimes referred to as a ''vade mecum
A handbook is a type of reference work, or other collection of instructions, that is intended to provide ready reference. The term originally applied to a small or portable book containing information useful for its owner, but the ''Oxford Engl ...
'' (Latin
Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power of the ...
, "go with me") or pocket reference. It may also be referred to as an enchiridion
Enchiridion is a small manual or handbook.
It can refer more specifically to:
* '' Enchiridion of Epictetus'', a short manual of Stoic ethical advice
* The ''Enchiridion de metris'' of Hephaestion, an ancient treatise on poetic meters
* ''Enchiri ...
.
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
''MLA Handbook'' (9th ed., 2021), formerly ''MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers'' (1977–2009), establishes a system for documenting sources in scholarly writing. It is published by the Modern Language Association, which is based in the ...
'' is a reference for how to cite works in MLA style, among other things. Examples of engineering
Engineering is the use of scientific principles to design and build machines, structures, and other items, including bridges, tunnels, roads, vehicles, and buildings. The discipline of engineering encompasses a broad range of more speciali ...
handbooks include ''Perry's Chemical Engineers' Handbook
''Perry's Chemical Engineers' Handbook'' (also known as ''Perry's Handbook'', ''Perry's'', or ''The Chemical Engineer's Bible'') was first published in 1934 and the most current ninth edition was published in July 2018. It has been a source of c ...
'', ''Marks' Standard Handbook for Mechanical Engineers
''Marks' Standard Handbook for Mechanical Engineers'' is a comprehensive handbook for the field of mechanical engineering. Originally based on the even older German , it was first published in 1916 by Lionel Simeon Marks. In 2017, its 12th editi ...
'', and the '' CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics''.
See also
*Guidebook
A guide book or travel guide is "a book of information about a place designed for the use of visitors or tourists". It will usually include information about sights, accommodation, restaurants, transportation, and activities. Maps of varying det ...
*Manual (disambiguation)
Manual may refer to:
Instructions
* User guide
* Owner's manual
* Instruction manual (gaming)
* Online help
Other uses
* Manual (music), a keyboard, as for an organ
* Manual (band)
* Manual transmission
* Manual, a bicycle technique similar ...
*Oxford Companions
''Oxford Companions'' is a book series published by Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press (OUP) is the university press of the University of Oxford. It is the largest university press in the world, and its printing history dates b ...
*Abramowitz and Stegun
''Abramowitz and Stegun'' (''AS'') is the informal name of a 1964 mathematical reference work edited by Milton Abramowitz and Irene Stegun of the United States National Bureau of Standards (NBS), now the ''National Institute of Standards and ...
''Handbook of Mathematical Functions''
* CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics
* Mathematical tables
* MAOL, a Finnish handbook for science
*BINAS
The Binas (Often written as BiNaS or BINAS) is a Dutch science reference work (a '' handbook'') for the higher levels of secondary school, consisting largely of tables and formulas. The name stands for biologie, natuurkunde, scheikunde (biology, ...
, a Dutch science handbook
Notes
External links
Vademecum in opus Saxonis et alia opera Danica compendium ex indice verborum
- a Medieval Latin dictionary
Reference works
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