bankbook
UK[ˈbæŋkbʊk]US[ˈbæŋkˌbʊk]
n
A small book held by a customer of a bank, used for recording deposits and withdrawals.
Morpheme Breakdown
bank
book
bank
financial institution
book
bound pages for records
Etymology
The word 'bankbook' is a transparent compound formed from two common English nouns. 'Bank' traces its financial sense to the benches or tables used by moneychangers in medieval Italy. 'Book' originates from the Old English word for a written document, itself derived from the Proto-Germanic term for beechwood, on which runes were carved. The compound logically combines these elements to denote the physical record 'book' issued by a financial 'bank'. This straightforward formation reflects the practical need to name a tangible object associated with modern personal banking.
Analysis
Structure: bank (financial institution) + book (bound pages for records)
- bank: Of Germanic origin (Middle English, from Old Italian banca 'bench, moneychanger's table'), functioning as the core noun denoting the financial institution.
- book: Of Germanic origin (Old English bōc), functioning as the core noun denoting a bound set of pages for writing.
Examples
She carefully updated her bankbook after every transaction.
The old bankbook contained a history of his first savings.
Please bring your bankbook and identification to the branch.