Crossword Genius

Old books firm cuts into small pieces (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

codices

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'old books' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to communication as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?

'firm cuts into small pieces' is the wordplay.
'firm' becomes 'co' (a firm is a company).
'cuts into small pieces' becomes 'dices' (I've seen this in another clue).
'co'+'dices'='CODICES'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for codices that I've seen before include "Volumes" , "Ancient manuscripts" , "Ancient manuscript books" , "ancient documents" , "Old manuscript books" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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