Text

n. [Fr. texte, Pr. texte, test, Sp. & Pg. texto, It. testo, from Lat. textus, texture, structure, context, from texere, textum, to weave, to compose.]

1Sense 1. A discourse or composition on which a note or commentary is written; the original words of an author, in distinction from a paraphrase or commentary.

2Sense 2. A verse or passage of Scripture quoted as the subject of a discourse, or in proof of a doctrine.

How oft, when Paul has served us with a text, Has Epictetus, Plato, Tully preached! Cooper.

3Sense 3. (Anc. Law.) The four Gospels, by way of eminence. [Rare.]

To write, as a text. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.