hornbook

[ hawrn-book ]

noun

1. a leaf or page containing the alphabet, religious materials, etc., covered with a sheet of transparent horn and fixed in a frame with a handle, formerly used in teaching children to read.
2. a primer or book of rudiments.

hornbook

/ ˈhɔːnˌbʊk /

noun

1. a page bearing a religious text or the alphabet, held in a frame with a thin window of flattened cattle horn over it
2. any elementary primer

Word History and Origins

Origin of hornbook¹

First recorded in 1580–90; horn + book

Example Sentences

That’s “hornbook law” — so basic it doesn’t require citation for law students.

From Los Angeles Times

In the early 1600s, a child’s first book in New England was called a hornbook, a board in the shape of a paddle upon which was written the Lord’s Prayer and the alphabet.

From Washington Times

While hornbooks present information in a more straightforward manner, they will also contain nuances your professor doesn't care about.

From US News

Matthew lifted his eyes from the hornbook to his niece’s white face.

From Literature

In the appendix to my Products Liability hornbook, I show how competitive considerations will lead manufacturers to implement many efficient quality control measures even in the absence of liability to injured users. 

From Forbes

Related Words

• addition
• debut
• establishment
• inauguration
• influx
• initiation
• installation
• launch
• opening
• preface
• presentation