A bookplate is a small printed or decorative label that is placed inside the cover of a book to indicate ownership. It usually contains the name of the owner, and sometimes includes a design or illustration.
Definitions
A bookplate is defined as a label or sticker that is placed inside a book to indicate ownership. It is also known as an ex-libris, which is Latin for “from the library of.”
Origin
The origin of bookplates can be traced back to the 15th century, when books were becoming more widely available and people began to collect them. The first bookplates were simple designs that included the owner’s name and sometimes a coat of arms.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a bookplate is “a label or stamp bearing the name of the owner of a book, pasted inside the cover.” Merriam-Webster defines it as “a label bearing the owner’s name that is pasted usually on the inside front cover of a book.”
Associations
Bookplates are often associated with collectors and bibliophiles, who use them to personalize their collections. They can also be used to identify books that have been donated to a library or other institution.
Synonyms
Synonyms for bookplate include ex-libris, ownership label, and book label.
Antonyms
Antonyms for bookplate include anonymous book, unmarked book, and library book.
The same root words
The root words of bookplate are “book” and “plate,” which refer to the object itself and the material it is made of.
Example Sentences
- “I always put a bookplate in my favorite books so that everyone knows they belong to me.”
- “The library’s collection of rare books all had beautiful bookplates inside the covers.”
- “I found an old book at a garage sale with a bookplate from the early 1900s inside.”