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Chapbook: meaning, definitions and examples

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chapbook

 

[ หˆtสƒรฆp.bสŠk ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

type of publication

A chapbook is a small book or pamphlet that contains poems, short stories, or essays. Historically, chapbooks were printed on cheap paper and sold by traveling peddlers, making literature accessible to the common people. They often featured illustrations and were used to share folk tales, ballads, and other forms of popular literature. Despite their humble origins, chapbooks have gained recognition in contemporary literature, often serving as a medium for emerging writers.

Synonyms

booklet, brochure, pamphlet

Examples of usage

  • She published her poems in a chapbook.
  • The bookstore had a section for local chapbooks.
  • Many poets begin their careers by creating a chapbook.
  • The artist released a chapbook filled with her illustrations.
  • Chapbooks are often featured at literary festivals.

Translations

Translations of the word "chapbook" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น livrinho

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค›เฅ‹เคŸเคพ เค•เคฟเคคเคพเคฌ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Heft

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ buku kecil

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะบะฝะธะถะตั‡ะบะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ broszura

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅฐๅ†Šๅญ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท livret

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ librito

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท kitapรงฤฑk

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์†Œ์ฑ…์ž

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ูƒุชุงุจ ุตุบูŠุฑ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ broลพura

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ broลพรบra

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅฐๅ†Œๅญ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ broลกura

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ smรกsaga

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะบั–ัˆั– ะบั–ั‚ะฐะฟ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒ˜แƒœแƒ˜ แƒฌแƒ˜แƒ’แƒœแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ kiรงik kitab

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ librito

Etymology

The term 'chapbook' dates back to the 16th century and is believed to have originated from the word 'chapman,' which referred to a merchant or itinerant trader. These traders would carry small books, often filled with popular literature or stories, and sell them as they traveled from town to town. The low cost and easy accessibility of chapbooks made them a favored form of literature among the public, particularly among the lower classes. The content typically ranged from religious tales and moral stories to entertainment and folklore. As printing technology improved, chapbooks began to incorporate illustrations and more sophisticated printing techniques. By the 19th century, chapbooks had developed into a recognized literary form, often championed by poets and writers seeking to reach wider audiences. Today, chapbooks are celebrated both as a historical artifact and as a modern publishing format, supporting independent authors and innovative literature.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,613, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.