{{Short description|Type of reference book}} {{About|the type of reference work|the subnotebook computer|Gateway HandBook|}} {{Redirect|Pocket reference|the all-purpose reference work by Thomas J. Glover|Pocket Ref}} {{Redirect|Vademecum}} thumb|upright|Early 20th century handbook for operating a motor car A '''handbook''' is a type of reference work, or other collection of instructions, that is intended to provide ready reference.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-04-08 |title=Handbook |url=https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/handbook |access-date=2026-04-11 |website=dictionary.cambridge.org |language=en}}</ref> 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."<ref>[http://0-www.oed.com.catalogue.libraries.london.ac.uk/view/Entry/83815?redirectedFrom=handbook#eid Oxford English Dictionary Online], accessed 23 March 2017. {{subscription required}}</ref>
A handbook is sometimes referred to as a '''''vade mecum''''' (Latin, "go with me")<ref>{{Cite web |title=Definition of VADE MECUM |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vade+mecum |access-date=2026-04-11 |website=www.merriam-webster.com |language=en}}</ref> or '''pocket reference'''. It may also be referred to as an enchiridion.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Enchiridion - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms |url=https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/enchiridion |access-date=2026-04-11 |website=Vocabulary.com |language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Creager |first=Angela N. H. |date=2021-03-01 |title=Learning by the Book: Manuals and Handbooks in the History of Science. |url=https://historyofknowledge.hypotheses.org/14730 |access-date=2026-04-11 |website=historyofknowledge.hypotheses.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Phillips |first=David |date=2022-04-03 |title=The Oxford handbook of the history of education; Handbook of historical studies in education. Debates, tensions, and directions |url=https://doi.org/10.1080/03050068.2022.2048447 |journal=Comparative Education |volume=58 |issue=2 |pages=281–284 |doi=10.1080/03050068.2022.2048447 |issn=0305-0068|url-access=subscription }}</ref>
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== *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== {{reflist}}
== External links == {{Wiktionary|handbook}} *[http://www.rostra.dk/latin/saxo.html Vademecum in opus Saxonis et alia opera Danica compendium ex indice verborum] - a Medieval Latin dictionary {{Authority control}} Category:Handbooks and manuals Category:Reference works Category:Textbooks