Bibliotheca: meaning, definitions and examples

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bibliotheca

 

[ ˌbɪbliˈɒθɪkə ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

library collection

A bibliotheca is a collection of books, documents, or other written or printed material. It can refer to a private collection or a public library.

Synonyms

archive, collection, library.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
bibliotheca

This term is quite archaic and formal. It is often used in literary or historical discussions to refer to a collection of books. Bibliotheca is rarely used in everyday conversation.

  • The old mansion had a vast bibliotheca filled with rare manuscripts
library

This is the most common and modern term for a place where books and other materials are available for reading, borrowing, or research. Libraries are public, community-oriented spaces and the term is widely understood.

  • Every Saturday, she takes her children to the local library to borrow new books
collection

This word is suitable for a more general context. It refers to a group of similar items, not limited to books, and can be used in both formal and informal settings.

  • Her collection of vintage postcards was truly impressive
archive

Use this word when referring to a place or collection where historical documents, records, or other important items are stored, often in a well-organized manner. Archives can be physical or digital.

  • The researcher spent months in the national archive to gather information for her thesis

Examples of usage

  • The bibliotheca at the university contains over 100,000 volumes.
  • She spent hours browsing through the bibliotheca, looking for a rare manuscript.
  • The bibliotheca of ancient scrolls was a treasure trove of knowledge.
  • Many bibliothecas have digital catalogs for easy access to their collections.
Context #2 | Noun

bookcase

In architecture, a bibliotheca can also refer to a bookcase or a room for storing books.

Synonyms

book storage, bookcase, bookshelf.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
bibliotheca

This word is very formal and is often used in older texts or by scholars when referring to a collection or library of books.

  • The university's bibliotheca houses a rare collection of medieval manuscripts
  • The bibliotheca was renowned for its extensive catalog of ancient texts
bookcase

Refers to a piece of furniture with shelves for storing books, typically used within homes, offices, and personal spaces.

  • I just bought a new bookcase for my living room
  • The bookcase in his office was filled with historical biographies
bookshelf

A simpler term than 'bookcase,' typically used for individual shelves that hold books, can be both standalone or part of a larger bookcase.

  • I need to organize the books on my bookshelf
  • The top shelf of the bookshelf is reserved for my favorite novels
book storage

This is a more generic term that can refer to any place or method of keeping books, suitable for both formal and informal situations.

  • We need to find a better book storage solution for all these textbooks
  • The basement serves as our book storage area

Examples of usage

  • The bibliotheca in the study was filled with leather-bound classics.
  • She organized her books neatly on the bibliotheca in the living room.

Translations

Translations of the word "bibliotheca" in other languages:

🇵🇹 biblioteca

🇮🇳 पुस्तकालय

🇩🇪 Bibliothek

🇮🇩 perpustakaan

🇺🇦 бібліотека

🇵🇱 biblioteka

🇯🇵 図書館 (としょかん)

🇫🇷 bibliothèque

🇪🇸 biblioteca

🇹🇷 kütüphane

🇰🇷 도서관

🇸🇦 مكتبة

🇨🇿 knihovna

🇸🇰 knižnica

🇨🇳 图书馆

🇸🇮 knjižnica

🇮🇸 bókasafn

🇰🇿 кітапхана

🇬🇪 ბიბლიოთეკა

🇦🇿 kitabxana

🇲🇽 biblioteca

Etymology

The word 'bibliotheca' has its origins in Latin and Greek, where 'biblio-' means book and '-theca' refers to a place for storing. It has been used throughout history to refer to collections of books or libraries. The concept of a bibliotheca has evolved over time, from ancient scrolls to modern digital archives, but its essence as a repository of knowledge remains unchanged.