Black Book

English

Alternative forms

• black book

Etymology

Either from the colour of the binding, or from the character of the contents.

Proper noun

the Black Book

1. (historical or current) Any of several books or documents of a political character, published at different times of history and for different purposes.
   1. The Black Book of the Exchequer, a book compiled in the 12th century, containing a description of the court of exchequer of England, an official statement of the revenues of the crown, etc.
   2. The Compendium Compertorum, a document containing details of the abuses practiced in the English monasteries and religious houses, compiled by order of their visitors under Henry VIII, to hasten their dissolution.
   3. The Black Book of the Admiralty, a book on admiralty law written in Old French, containing important decisions of the High Court of Admiralty, compiled in the reign of Edward III.
   4. A 19th century book detailing the corruption and financial abuses of the British government.
   5. The Sonderfahndungsliste G.B., a list compiled by the Schutzstaffel of prominent British citizens and residents to be arrested in the event of a Nazi invasion of Britain.
   6. A book or document kept in the football briefcase of the United States President, describing nuclear retaliation options.

Noun

Black Book (plural Black Books)

1. A book critiquing or denouncing something.

   the Black Book of Communism

   the Black Book of Polish censorship

2. A book kept for the purpose of registering the names of persons liable to censure or punishment, as in the English universities, or the English armies
3. (occult) Any book dealing with necromancy.

Related terms

• blacklist (near-synonymous with some senses above)
• in someone's black books
• little black book

References

• “Black Book”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.

Further reading

• Black Book on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• dissolution of the monasteries on Wikipedia.Wikipedia