1 a the Christian scriptures consisting of the Old and New Testaments. b the Jewish scriptures. c (bible) any copy of these (three bibles on the table). d a particular edition of the Bible (New English Bible).
2 colloq. any authoritative book (Wisden is his Bible).
3 the scriptures of any non-Christian religion.
Phrases and idioms:
Bible-basher (or -thumper etc.) a person given to Bible-bashing. Bible-bashing (or -thumping etc.) sl. aggressive fundamentalist preaching. Bible belt esp. US the reputedly puritanical area of the southern and central US. Bible oath a solemn oath taken on the Bible.
Etymology: ME f. OF f. eccl.L biblia f. Gk biblia books (pl. of biblion), orig. dimin. of biblos, bublos papyrus
Useful english dictionary. 2012.