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Incunabula: meaning, definitions and examples

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incunabula

 

[ ɪnˈkjuːnəˌbjuːlə ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

historical printing

Incunabula refers to books printed in the early days of the printing press, specifically before 1501. These works are significant in the history of publishing as they represent the transition from manuscript to printed text, capturing the shift in cultural and intellectual paradigms of the time.

Synonyms

early printed books, first editions, pre-1501 books

Examples of usage

  • The library houses a collection of rare incunabula dating back to the 15th century.
  • Studying incunabula provides insights into the early modern period's literary trends.
  • Many incunabula were created in universities, serving as essential texts for scholars.

Translations

Translations of the word "incunabula" in other languages:

🇵🇹 incunábulos

🇮🇳 इंकुनाबुला

🇩🇪 Inkunabeln

🇮🇩 incunabula

🇺🇦 інкунабула

🇵🇱 inkunabuły

🇯🇵 インクナブラ

🇫🇷 incunable

🇪🇸 incunable

🇹🇷 incunabula

🇰🇷 인쿤나불라

🇸🇦 إنكونابولا

🇨🇿 inkunábuly

🇸🇰 inkunábuly

🇨🇳 早期印刷书籍

🇸🇮 inkunabule

🇮🇸 incunabula

🇰🇿 инкунобула

🇬🇪 ინკუნაბულა

🇦🇿 inkunabula

🇲🇽 incunable

Word origin

The term 'incunabula' is derived from the Latin word 'incunabulum', meaning 'swaddling cloth' or 'cradle'. This reflects the infancy of printed books, emerging in the cradle of the printing revolution initiated by Johannes Gutenberg in the mid-15th century. The earliest known incunabula, the Gutenberg Bible, marks a pivotal turning point for communication and literature. By 1501, thousands of titles were printed in various European cities, thus marking the end of the incunabula period. This era is characterized by the rapid dissemination of knowledge, consequently leading to the Renaissance and changes in socio-political landscapes across Europe. Collectors and historians highly value incunabula not only for their rarity but also for their significance in the evolution of publishing and the preservation of early human thought.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #33,301 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.