W   

Warped

 Refers to condition; the boards or paperback covers are bent and twisted.

Washed

 When a map, print, or pages of a book are cleaned in a mild chemical solution to remove stains, writing, or acid from the pages. See also re-sized.

Watermark

 Translucent letters or a design in a sheet of paper. Usually can be seen only by holding the sheet to the light.

Waterstained

 Refers to condition; discoloration, stains, and possible shrinkage on the pages, binding, and text-block, from water.

Website

 A location on the Internet accessible by inputting a unique address that provides information on a subject, person or organization..

Wholesaler

 A company that handles the resale of books in large quantities and serves booksellers (distributors work on behalf of publishers).

Wholesaler

 A central order location that allows bookstores and libraries to order multiple titles from multiple publishers.

Wire Coil

 An inexpensive type of binding material used to make a spine on a spiralbound book. Also known as wire comb.

Wire Comb

 See wire coil.

With All Faults (W.A.F.)

 A description used mostly by auctioneers and booksellers to describe books that are suspected of being imperfect. The term is used to warn the buyer that the item may not be returned for any reason. It is, in other words, sold "as is."

Wood Engraving

 See woodcut.

Woodcut

 An illustration made from a highly polished block of wood. Also known as wood engraving. See also cut.

Word Of Mouth

 Advertising generated by satisfied or interested readers who tell others about the book.

Worming

 Refers to condition; small holes or tracks in the paper or bindings, which is made by burrowing insects. Since the worm normally eats directly through the pages, its track is occasionally useful in detecting doctored copies.

Wove Paper

 A paper that has been made on a fine-mesh mold which, when held to the light, shows no marks or lines. It has been the typical paper used in bookbinding since the early 19th century.

Wrappers

 A book with a printed or plain paper binding. Also known as paperback and wraps.