| 1. | One of several books of a political character, published at different times and for different purposes; - so called either from the color of the binding, or from the character of the contents. |
| 2. | A book compiled in the twelfth century, containing a description of the court of exchequer of England, an official statement of the revenues of the crown, etc. |
| 3. | A book containing details of the enormities practiced in the English monasteries and religious houses, compiled by order of their visitors under Henry VIII., to hasten their dissolution. |
| 4. | A book of admiralty law, of the highest authority, compiled in the reign of Edw. III. |
| 5. | A book kept for the purpose of registering the names of persons liable to censure or punishment, as in the English universities, or the English armies. |
| 6. | Any book which treats of necromancy. |
| 7. | A book containing a black list. |
| 8. | A book kept by a single man, containing a list of women whom he calls occasionally for a social date; - usually used in the phrase little black book. |
black book - a list of people who are out of favor