absey book
See also: absey-book
English
Alternative forms
Noun
absey book (plural absey books)
- (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:'