See also: absey-book

English

edit

Alternative forms

edit

Noun

edit

absey book (plural absey books)

  1. (obsolete) An ABC book; abecedary; a primer.
    • c. 1596 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life and Death of King Iohn”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies [] (First Folio), London: [] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene i]:
      'I shall beseech you' — that is question now / And then comes answer like an Absey book: / 'O sir,' says answer, 'at your best command; / At your employment; at your service, sir:'