the printed word

the printed word

Anything that is written on a physical piece of paper; printed media in general, especially books. It's important to foster a love of the printed word in children at an early age. The sudden and ubiquitous rise of e-books and smart devices led many to worry that the printed word may vanish altogether.
See also: print, word
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

the printed ˈword/ˈpage

stories, articles, etc. printed in a book, magazine, newspaper, etc.
See also: page, print, word
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • the printed page
  • the printed word/page
  • on paper
  • dead-tree edition
  • dead-tree format
  • in writing
  • stop press
  • not worth the paper it is written on
  • not worth the paper it's printed on
  • not worth the paper it's printed/written on
References in classic literature
It was the pulpit and the manuscript taking the alarm at the printed word: something similar to the stupor of a sparrow which should behold the angel Legion unfold his six million wings.
If he led them out of rooms where it was, if he shut up drawers and closets where it stood, if he drew the curious from places where he knew it to be secreted, and got them out into the streets, the very chimneys of the mills assumed that shape, and round them was the printed word.
He could curl up and look at the pictures in the strange things which were books, he could puzzle out the printed word he had learned to read without knowledge of the spoken language it represented, he could live in a wonderful world of which he had no knowledge beyond the covers of his beloved books.
How the printed words made us forget the world in which we live, and carried us away to a wonderland,
"We are lost!" was written as plainly upon Taylor's face as though his features were the printed words upon an open book.
A strange name wakes up memories; the printed words scent the smoky atmosphere of to-day faintly, with the subtle and penetrating perfume as of land breezes breathing through the starlight of bygone nights; a signal fire gleams like a jewel on the high brow of a sombre cliff; great trees, the advanced sentries of immense forests, stand watchful and still over sleeping stretches of open water; a line of white surf thunders on an empty beach, the shallow water foams on the reefs; and green islets scattered through the calm of noonday lie upon the level of a polished sea, like a handful of emeralds on a buckler of steel.
She was mystified; but when she saw the printed words beneath her signature, she felt a cold, clammy chill run up her spine.
The pages of his mind were blank, and, without effort, much he read and liked, stanza by stanza, was impressed upon those pages, so that he was soon able to extract great joy from chanting aloud or under his breath the music and the beauty of the printed words he had read.
The book also includes the printed word and Braille for each design, along with a handy, plastic page protector.
Using the type, the printed word spread far and wide.
One of them is the proliferation of the printed word.
While Balfron Library would not be able to accommodate full classes of pupils, the use of the printed word as evidence is part of the Curriculum for Excellence and small groups of students of history can be made welcome.This can be arranged by contacting info@balfronheritage.org.uk or by phoning Balfron Library on 01360 440407.
He is one of a type who hide behind the printed word of Twitter, giving people little chance of reply.
How I survived a year without the printed word from you and the gang is amazing.
Until computers are indistinguishable from the printed word, there will be a use for newsprint and a desire for it.