[a. Gr. ἐγχειρίδιον, f. ἐν in + χείρ hand + dim. suff. -ιδιον.] A handbook or manual; a concise treatise serving as a guide or for reference.
1541. Coverdale, trans. Bullinger’s Old Faith (1581), vii. 79. He [Moses] made yet an Enchiridion and summe of all the actes of his time.
1638. Bp. Reynolds, Medit. Lord’s Supper, Ep. Ded. A 3. I have bin embolden’d to present this small Enchiridion … unto the hands and patronage of so … judicious a person.
a. 1789. Burney, Hist. Mus. (ed. 2), II. i. 122. The Enchiridion of Hubald … appears first in the volume.
1817. P. Moore, in Antijacobin Rev., Dec. (1818), 390. The sacred blessings of peace are not defended either by the sacred enchiridion of religion, or the irresistible sword of liberty.
1829. I. Taylor, Enthus., 237. The Bible is … the heavenly enchiridion of those who are beset with the cares, [etc.], of the world.
1885. Blackw. Mag., June, 775/1. This enchiridion or little handbook was published in 1575.
