As a bookseller, just musing over the proper use of the word "tight"
in describing books. I assume it can be properly used for old and new
hardcover books. Does it only describe the integrity of the hinge
areas and page (signature) adhesion? For instance, can a book with
sloping spine, bumped corners, or a rip in the spine cloth be called
"tight", if the hinges and pages are firm? Would a book with undamaged
hinges, but a mobile looseness due to its construction not be called
"tight"? Can paperback books be properly described as "tight"?

Peridote