bae·de·ker \ˈbādə̇kə(r), -dēk-\noun (-s) Usage: usually capitalized Etymology: after Karl Baedeker died 1859 German publisher of guidebooks 1.: any one of a series of guidebooks devoted chiefly to European countries and cities < seeing Paris with a Baedeker > 2.: guidebook, handbook < a Baedeker of contemporary arts >