dust jacket

This term refers specifically to the removable paper wrap of a hardcover book. It is distinct from the actual binding or the book cover itself. In the publishing industry, it serves a dual purpose: protecting the physical book from wear and acting as a primary marketing tool through its cover art and blurbs.

Because it is a compound noun, it follows standard English countability rules. While it is a physical object, it is treated as a discrete unit, meaning it can be counted individually.