Handbook

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 English Dictionary 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." A handbook is sometimes referred to as a vade mecum (Latin, "go with me") or pocket reference. It may also be referred to as an enchiridion. Historically, practical knowledge was typically learnt from a more experienced person. Due to literacy rates, many people could not learn from sources such as handbooks. The term signifies that it is a book "on hand". During the nineteenth century, many technological and scientific handbooks became "unhandy" in size and instead book series were more suitable, hence why the definition of handbook evolved. 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 is a reference for how to cite works in MLA style, among other things. Examples of engineering handbooks include Perry's Chemical Engineers' Handbook, Marks' Standard Handbook for Mechanical Engineers, and the CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics.

Type of reference book

This article is about the type of reference work. For the subnotebook computer, see Gateway HandBook.

"Pocket reference" redirects here. For the all-purpose reference work by Thomas J. Glover, see Pocket Ref.

"Vademecum" redirects here. For other uses, see Vademecum (disambiguation).

A handbook is a type of reference work, or other collection of instructions, that is intended to provide ready reference.^[1] The term originally applied to a small or portable book containing information useful for its owner, but the Oxford English Dictionary 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."^[2]

A handbook is sometimes referred to as a vade mecum (Latin, "go with me")^[3] or pocket reference. It may also be referred to as an enchiridion.^[4] Historically, practical knowledge was typically learnt from a more experienced person. Due to literacy rates, many people could not learn from sources such as handbooks. The term signifies that it is a book "on hand". During the nineteenth century, many technological and scientific handbooks became "unhandy" in size and instead book series were more suitable, hence why the definition of handbook evolved.^[5][6]

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 is a reference for how to cite works in MLA style, among other things. Examples of engineering handbooks include Perry's Chemical Engineers' Handbook, Marks' Standard Handbook for Mechanical Engineers, and the CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics.

See also

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• Enchiridion
• Guide book
• Manual (disambiguation)
• Oxford Companions
• Textbook
• Abramowitz and Stegun Handbook of Mathematical Functions
• CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics
• Mathematical tables
• MAOL, a Finnish handbook for science
• Binas (book), a Dutch science handbook

Notes

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1. ^ "Handbook". dictionary.cambridge.org. 2026-04-08. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
2. ^ Oxford English Dictionary Online, accessed 23 March 2017. (subscription required)
3. ^ "Definition of VADE MECUM". www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
4. ^ "Enchiridion - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms". Vocabulary.com. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
5. ^ Creager, Angela N. H. (2021-03-01). "Learning by the Book: Manuals and Handbooks in the History of Science". historyofknowledge.hypotheses.org. Retrieved 2026-04-11.
6. ^ Phillips, David (2022-04-03). "The Oxford handbook of the history of education; Handbook of historical studies in education. Debates, tensions, and directions". Comparative Education. 58 (2): 281–284. doi:10.1080/03050068.2022.2048447. ISSN 0305-0068.

External links

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Look up handbook in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

• Vademecum in opus Saxonis et alia opera Danica compendium ex indice verborum - a Medieval Latin dictionary