Bibliomaniac is a term that is used to describe a person who is obsessed with collecting and owning books. It is a word that is often used to describe someone who has a love for books that goes beyond what is considered normal or healthy. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of bibliomaniac, as well as its origins, associations, synonyms, and antonyms.
Definitions
Bibliomaniac is a noun that describes a person who is obsessed with books. This person may collect books for the sake of owning them, rather than for reading them. They may spend excessive amounts of money on books, and may feel a sense of joy or satisfaction from simply owning them.
Origin
The term bibliomaniac is derived from two Greek words: biblio, meaning book, and mania, meaning madness or insanity. The term was first used in the 18th century to describe a craze for book collecting that was prevalent among the wealthy and educated classes.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a bibliomaniac is “a person who is extremely fond of collecting books.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines bibliomania as “excessive fondness for acquiring and possessing books; book-collecting regarded as a disease or mania.”
Associations
Bibliomaniacs are often associated with a love for reading, as well as a desire to learn and explore new ideas. They may be seen as intellectuals or scholars, and may be admired for their knowledge and expertise in a particular area of study.
Synonyms
Some synonyms for bibliomaniac include bookworm, book lover, book collector, and book hoarder.
Antonyms
Antonyms for bibliomaniac include book hater, book disliker, and book avoider.
The same root words
Other words that share the same root words as bibliomaniac include bibliophile (a lover of books), bibliophobia (a fear of books), and biblioteca (a library).
Example Sentences
- John is a bibliomaniac who has over 10,000 books in his collection.
- The bibliomaniac spent all of his savings on a rare first edition book.
- Mary’s bibliomania has led her to become an expert in rare book collecting.
Bibliomaniac is a term that is used to describe a person who is obsessed with books and book collecting. While this obsession may be seen as a positive trait in some contexts, it can also be seen as a negative or unhealthy behavior. Regardless of how it is viewed, the term bibliomaniac has a rich history and continues to be used today to describe those who have a love for books that goes beyond what is considered normal or healthy.