Middle English Dictionary Entry
bibliotek(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | bibliotek(e n. Also bibliotec. |
| Etymology | L bibliothēca; also cp. late MF bibliothèque; ult. Gk. βιβλιοθήκη. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A compilation of books, or section of such a compendium.
Associated quotations
- c1450 Capgr.Rome (Bod 423:Lucas)p.104 : The secund kyng at Rome .. clepid Numa Pompilius .. assyned .. ten wise men to write oute Solon his lawes, and þat þei myth be used in þat puple he sette hem in longe declaracioun in twelue parties whech þei clepe bibliotekes.
- c1450 Capgr.Rome (Bod 423:Lucas)p.46 : Fast by was a place cleped 'Cartularium' in whech place were here bokes kept of here lawe, for þei engrosed onto hem all þe gode customes of þe world þat wer writyn in ony book, and þei inacted hem into her bokes, whech bokes þei named bibliotecis: of þoo had þei twenti-too uolumes.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: OED 'bibliothèque' n. and 'bibliotheca' n.; DMF bibliothèque; Godefroy bibliotheque ; FEW I, 352b : bibliotheca ; TLF : IV, 457b-458b : bibliothèque "Collection de livres". The word seems here to refer to a compendium of texts rather than a place in which books are stored.