Horn-Book
Defined in 4 dictionaries — Bouvier (1914), Black's (1910), Black's (1891), Anderson (1889)
Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia
John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914
A book containing the first principles of any science or branch of knowledge; a primer, so called because the material was horn. Horn book law. The elementary or rudimentary law, colloquially so called.
Black's Law Dictionary
Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910
A Dictionary of Law
Henry Campbell Black · 1891
A primer; a book exvlaining the rudiments of any science or branch of knowledge. The phrase “hornbook law” is a colloquial designation of the rudiments or most familiar principles of law.
A Dictionary of Law
William C. Anderson · 1889
A name formerly given to an elementary treatise upon any subject. Horn-book law. Elementary or rudimentary law. A "horn-hook" was originally a sheet containing the alphabet, mounted on wood and protected with transparent horn, or simply pasted on a slice of horn. ^