The phrase describes a book effectively unusable or forgotten, perhaps due to damage, obscurity, or being superseded by newer editions or information. An example would be a water-damaged textbook with illegible pages or a highly specialized technical manual rendered obsolete by advancements in the field. Essentially, the book, though physically extant, no longer serves its intended purpose.
Understanding this concept is crucial for various fields. In library science, it informs decisions about discarding or archiving materials. For book collectors, it influences value assessments. Within the publishing industry, it highlights the dynamic nature of information and the lifecycle of printed works. Historically, factors contributing to a book’s functional demise have ranged from censorship and accidental destruction to the gradual shift toward digital formats.
