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Incunabulum: meaning, definitions and examples

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incunabulum

 

[ ɪnˈkjuːnəˌbjuːləm ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

historical printing

An incunabulum is a book printed before 1501, during the infancy of the printing press. These works are significant as they mark the transition from hand-copied manuscripts to printed texts, making literature more accessible. Incunabula are often highly valued by collectors and bibliophiles because they provide insight into early printing techniques and the cultural landscape of the time.

Synonyms

early printed book, pre-1501 book

Examples of usage

  • The library has a collection of rare incunabula.
  • Studying incunabula reveals much about early literacy.
  • Many incunabula are preserved in special conditions due to their age.

Translations

Translations of the word "incunabulum" in other languages:

🇵🇹 incunábulo

🇮🇳 इंकुनाबुलम

🇩🇪 Inkunabel

🇮🇩 inkunabul

🇺🇦 інкунабула

🇵🇱 inkunabuł

🇯🇵 インキュナブルム

🇫🇷 incunable

🇪🇸 incunable

🇹🇷 ilk basım kitap

🇰🇷 인큐나불룸

🇸🇦 إنكُنَابُل

🇨🇿 inkunábule

🇸🇰 inkunábula

🇨🇳 古籍

🇸🇮 inkunabulum

🇮🇸 incunabulum

🇰🇿 инкунобула

🇬🇪 ინკუნაბულუმი

🇦🇿 inkunabul

🇲🇽 incunable

Etymology

The term 'incunabulum' derives from the Latin word 'incunabula,' meaning 'swaddling clothes' or 'cradle.' It specifically refers to the earliest stage of printed books, literally meaning 'in the cradle.' The use of the term became common in the 19th century among bibliographers and book collectors to denote works produced in the formative years of the printing press. The invention of the movable type printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in the mid-15th century allowed for the mass production of texts, which significantly influenced the dissemination of knowledge and culture. As a result, incunabula represents a crucial stage in the history of literature, making it a subject of study for historians, book dealers, and bibliophiles. The preservation and appreciation of incunabula also reflect the societal values placed on early printed works, which often bear historical significance and artistic merit.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #42,087, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.