small book en · NOUN
Etymology
Coined in the mid-20th century; a reference to the literal logbooks or "small books" officers use at the station.
Meanings
- (historical) Synonym of logbook.
-
(archaic) A process by which someone is to be detained or held on investigation without an official charge being filed; suspects placed in it were routinely held incommunicado (denied phone calls and visitors) while detectives aggressively interrogated them for confessions without formally charging them.
a prisoner is being placed/held on the small book
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| small books | Number=Plur | lexicographic |