also: はだかほん · らほん
used book without original cover or box
Refers to a secondhand book that is missing its original dust jacket, slipcase, or box. Common in used-book contexts.
この裸本はカバーがありませんが、中身はきれいです。
This used book is missing its dust jacket, but the inside is clean.
古本屋で裸本を安く買った。
I bought a book without its original cover cheaply at a used bookstore.
Standard kanji form; the reading はだかぼん is the most common.
Alternate reading; less common than はだかぼん.
Rare reading; may be encountered in certain contexts.
Compound of 裸 (はだか, 'naked') and 本 (ほん, 'book'), literally 'naked book'. The exact origin is uncertain, but it likely arose in used-book circles to describe books lacking their original protective covers.