Definition of the word codex

The word "codex" originates from the Latin word "codex," meaning "book" or "manuscript." In the 4th century, the Latin word "codex" emerged as a distinct term for a book made of bound pages, as opposed to scrolls. This terminology likely arose from the increasing use of papyrus rolls as a medium for written works, leading to a need to distinguish between these and bound books. The term "codex" gained popularity during the Middle Ages, particularly among scholars and monks, who used it to describe both handmade and printed books. Over time, "codex" came to convey a sense of respectability, intellectualism, and literary value. Today, the term is widely used in libraries, archives, and academic circles to refer to bound volumes of written works, regardless of their content or era.