Text n.
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.
2. O. Eng. Law The four Gospels, by way of distinction or eminence. [R.]
3. A verse or passage of Scripture, especially one chosen as the subject of a sermon, or in proof of a doctrine.
How oft, when Paul has served us with a text,
Has Epictetus, Plato, Tully, preached! --Cowper.
4. Hence, anything chosen as the subject of an argument, literary composition, or the like; topic; theme.
5. A style of writing in large characters; text-hand also, a kind of type used in printing; as, German text.
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.