Glossary
Apocryphal/ Deuterocanonical books
An influential group of ancient writings increasingly studied as aids and additions to the accepted canon of Scripture.
Art-gilt edges
A decorative finish to the page edges in which a red dye and gilt foil combine to add richness and lustre to the finished volume.
Bible paper
Thicker than India paper, but still much thinner than common book papers.
Book-wove paper
Term used to indicate non-lightweight paper.
Button snap
A style of binding in which the back cover is extended in a flap to fold around the fore-edge, snapping shut to protect the gilt page edges.
Coloured edges
A decorative technique by which the page edges of a hardback book are tinted to reflect the colour of the binding.
Concordance
An alphabetical list of key words that can be used for locating a Bible quotation or identifying related material. It catalogues the places in the text where significant words may be found, with their chapter and verse.
Cross-references
A system by which verses which have a similar wording or theme are linked throughout the Bible. They may be located in the centre of the page or at the margin.
Dictionary
Short histories of biblical characters, as well as explanations of terms and background information, usually presented in alphabetical order.
Family record
A decorated page bound into a Bible or prayer book on which the owner can record births, deaths, marriages and other significant events in the life of the family.
Gilt edges
A decorative finishing style in which a gold-coloured metallic foil is applied to the edges of the pages after they have been cut and rubbed smooth. Silver foil is often applied to the page edges of volumes bound in white. See also art-gilt edges.
Gilt line
A plain gold line or 'frame' on the inside covers.
India paper
The paper traditionally used for the best quality Bibles. The name is now generally used for papers that weigh less than 30 grammes per square metre ('20lb' paper in the USA.)
Presentation page
A decorated page bound into a Bible or prayer book on which to inscribe the name of the giver of the book, the name of the recipient and the date of the gift.
Pronunciation marks
Some Bible texts incorporate a phonetic system for indicating how to pronounce difficult names, showing the vowel sounds and stressed syllables, as in a dictionary. These volumes are sometimes called 'self-pronouncing'.
Red-letter Bibles
Bibles in which the words of Christ are printed in red, a practice introduced in 1899 by the American publisher Dr Louis Klopsch. In Cambridge KJV Bibles, the direct speech of Christ whilst on earth is printed in red. Other publishers include indirect speech, e.g. the words at the beginning of Revelation.
Reference edition
A Bible that includes cross-references to guide the reader to other parts of the Bible where similar subjects are treated. Footnotes also give variant readings of the text. Reference editions often include a concordance, maps and other study material.
Text edition
A Bible in which the text only is provided, without cross-references.
Thumb index
Thumb indexed editions have semi-circular cuts made by hand in the outer margins of the pages. The abbreviated names of the books of the Bible are stamped on small tabs, which are firmly glued on to the first page of the individual books, to enable the reader to find the page quickly.
Zip fastener
A zip sewn into the edge of the cover that may be closed to protect the gilt edges.
