Handbook

Vademecum ( German written Vademecum, plural the Vademecum Vademecum or ) is a name for an object ( usually a book ) to be carried as an indispensable companion in the professions, traveling or otherwise in all situations.

The term was created by contraction of the Latin vade mecum request! ( " Go with me! "). He has been since the end of the Middle Ages, initially both separately as well as in coupled together, as a generic name and title word for initially mainly theological and liturgical, then used since the 16th century, especially for medical compendia and handbooks. Since then it has established itself as a common title word for manuals, guides and self-help literature of all kinds.

An alternative, unusual in German, but also relatively common to modern times common in Latin countries name is Venimecum, veni mecum ( "Come with me "). In theological literature was especially by a Franciscan Guillaume de Vorillon ( Guillelmus Vorilongus, † 1463 ) known attributed compendium mecum as Vade or repertory propositionum que sunt contra Scotum was titled and should enable the discovery of theorems, with the Scotism are incompatible. In the medical literature was as Veni mecum especially one titled as Enchiridion collection of recipes and Consilien the Turin physician Pietro Bairo ( Peter Bayrus, † 1518) known. In Italian, this word also has the forms ( mixed Latin and Italian) and give venimeco ( Italian) vienimeco.