hardback

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a book bound with a rigid protective cover

   The library ordered the reference work as a durable hardback.

2. 2
   adj

   bound with a rigid cover rather than a flexible paper one

   The hardback edition includes full-page illustrations.

Formed from hard + back, referring to the rigid board at the back of the binding. The noun and adjective developed in contrast with paperback and were modeled on that earlier publishing term.

Topics

External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary