the main body of matter in a manuscript, book, newspaper, etc., as distinguished from notes, appendixes, headings, illustrations, etc.

the original words of an author or speaker, as opposed to a translation, paraphrase, commentary, or the like

The newspaper published the whole text of the speech.

the actual wording of anything written or printed

You have not kept to the text of my remarks.

any of the various forms in which a writing exists

The text is a medieval transcription.

the wording adopted by an editor as representing the original words of an author

the authoritative text of Catullus.

any theme or topic; subject.

the words of a song or the like.

a textbook.

a short passage of Scripture, esp. one chosen in proof of a doctrine or as the subject of a sermon

The text he chose was the Sermon on the Mount.

the letter of the Holy Scripture, or the Scriptures themselves.

Printing .

black letter.

type, as distinguished from illustrations, margins, etc.

Linguistics . a unit of connected speech or writing, esp. composed of more than one sentence, that forms a cohesive whole.

anything considered to be a subject for analysis by or as if by methods of literary criticism.

noun

argument , body , consideration , content , contents , context , document , extract , fundamentals , head , idea , issue , line , lines , main body , matter , motify , motive , paragraph , passage , point , quotation , sentence , stanza , subject , theme , thesis , topic , verse , vocabulary , wording , words , assignment , class book , course book , handbook , manual , reader , reference , reference book , required reading , schoolbook , source , syllabus , textbook , workbook , subject matter , motif , pericope , primer