main text; body text
Refers to the primary text of a document, excluding commentary, annotations, or supplementary material.
This book is divided into the main text and annotations.
authentic text; official text
Legal term for the authoritative version of a treaty or document, as opposed to translations or unofficial copies.
The authentic text of the treaty was drawn up in English and French.
Chinese classical literature
Refers to classical Chinese texts, often studied in traditional East Asian scholarship.
He studies Chinese classical literature at university.
Compound of 正 (correct, main) and 文 (text, writing). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the spelling is conventionally associated with the meanings of authoritative or main text.