codex
(ˈkəʊdɛks)
Pl. codices (ˈkəʊdɪsiːz).
[a. L. cōdex, later spelling of caudex trunk of a tree, wooden tablet, book, code of laws.]
† 1. = code n.1 1, 2. Obs.
| 1581 Mulcaster Positions xl. (1887) 228 In the fourth booke of Iustinians new Codex, the thirtenth title. 1622 Fletcher Sp. Curate iv. vii, The codexes o' th' law. 1659 Gentl. Call. iv. §24. 408 The whole codex of Christian precepts. 1753 Scots Mag. Sept. 460/1 A new codex, or body of the laws. |
2. A manuscript volume: e.g. one of the ancient manuscripts of the Scriptures (as the Codex Sinaiticus, Alexandrinus, Vaticanus, etc.), or of the ancient classics.
| 1845 M. Stuart O.T. Canon viii. (1849) 185 Account for the speedy loss or destruction of most codices once in circulation. 1875 Scrivener Lect. Text N. Test. 26 Tischendorf's great discovery, the Codex Sinaiticus. Ibid. 59 The characters in Codex B are somewhat less in size than those of Codex A. |
3. ‘In medicine, a collection of receipts for the preparation of drugs’ (Syd. Soc. Lex.); spec. the French Pharmacopœia.