A more thorough explanation:

Definition: Kissing the Book is a historical practice where a person would touch their lips to a copy of the Bible, especially the New Testament, after taking an oath in court. This practice was common in England but has been replaced by placing one's hand on the Bible while swearing.

Example: In the past, when someone had to testify in court, they would place their hand on the Bible and swear to tell the truth. After taking the oath, they would then kiss the Book as a sign of their commitment to telling the truth.

Explanation: Kissing the Book was a way for people to show their sincerity and commitment to telling the truth in court. By kissing the Bible, they were showing that they believed in the importance of telling the truth and that they were willing to be held accountable for their words. This practice was eventually replaced by simply placing one's hand on the Bible while taking an oath.