Textbook vs. Handbook

Textbooknoun

A coursebook, a formal manual of instruction in a specific subject, especially one for use in schools or colleges.

Textbookadjective

Of or pertaining to textbooks or their style, especially in being dry and pedagogical; textbooky, textbooklike.

Textbookadjective

Having the typical characteristics of some class of phenomenon, so that it might be included as an example in a textbook.

Textbooknoun

a book prepared for use in schools or colleges;

Textbookadjective

according to or characteristic of a casebook or textbook; typical;

Textbook

A textbook is a book containing a comprehensive compilation of content in a branch of study with the intention of explaining it. Textbooks are produced to meet the needs of educators, usually at educational institutions.

Handbooknoun

A topically organized book of reference on a certain field of knowledge, regardless of size.

Handbooknoun

A book of reference, to be carried in the hand; a manual; a guidebook.

Handbooknoun

A book containing reference information for a specific field; as, the Handbook of Chemistry.

Handbooknoun

a concise reference book providing specific information about a subject or location

Handbook

A handbook is a type of reference work, or other collection of instructions, that is intended to provide ready reference. 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 A handbook is sometimes referred to as a vade mecum (Latin, ) or pocket reference.