text \text\ te^kst, n. f. texte, l. textus, texture,
   structure, context, fr. texere, textum, to weave, construct,
   compose; cf. gr. te`ktwn carpenter, skr. taksh to cut, carve,
   make. cf. context, mantle, n., pretext, tissue,
   toil a snare.
   1. a discourse or composition on which a note or commentary
      is written; the original words of an author, in
      distinction from a paraphrase, annotation, or commentary.
      --chaucer.
      1913 webster

   2. o. eng. law the four gospels, by way of distinction or
      eminence. r.
      1913 webster

   3. a verse or passage of scripture, especially one chosen as
      the subject of a sermon, or in proof of a doctrine.
      1913 webster

            how oft, when paul has served us with a text,
            has epictetus, plato, tully, preached --cowper.
      1913 webster

   4. hence, anything chosen as the subject of an argument,
      literary composition, or the like; topic; theme.
      1913 webster

   5. a style of writing in large characters; text-hand also, a
      kind of type used in printing; as, german text.
      1913 webster

   6. that part of a document printed or electronic comprising
      the words, especially the main body of expository words,
      in contrast to the illustrations, pictures, charts,
      tables, or other formatted material which contain graphic
      elements as a major component.
      pjc

   7. any communication composed of words.
      pjc

   8. a textbook.
      pjc

   text blindness. physiol. see word blindness, under
      word.

   text letter, a large or capital letter. obs.

   text pen, a kind of metallic pen used in engrossing, or in
      writing text-hand.
      1913 webster
see also:
context mantle pretext tissue toil text blindness 
word blindness word text letter text pen