Black book

Webster's Dictionary of the English Language

·- Any book which treats of necromancy.

II. Black book ·- A book of admiralty law, of the highest authority, compiled in the reign of Edw. III.

III. Black book ·- 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.

IV. Black book ·- A book compiled in the twelfth century, containing a description of the court of exchequer of England, an official statement of the revenues of the crown, ·etc.

V. Black book ·- A book containing details of the enormities practiced in the English monasteries and religious houses, compiled by order of their visitors under Henry VIII., to hasten their dissolution.

VI. Black book ·- One of several books of a political character, published at different times and for different purposes;

— so called either from the color of the binding, or from the character of the contents.

Related Words