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.

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