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Marginalia: meaning, definitions and examples

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marginalia

 

[ mɑːrˈdʒɪneɪliə ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

written notes

Marginalia refers to notes, comments, or illustrations written in the margins of a book or manuscript. These annotations can provide insights into the reader's thoughts and reactions while engaging with the text, often reflecting a personal or scholarly perspective.

Synonyms

annotations, comments, notes

Examples of usage

  • The historian discovered fascinating marginalia that changed the interpretation of the document.
  • She often writes marginalia in her textbooks to help her remember key concepts.
  • The rare book's value increased due to the extensive marginalia left by its previous owner.

Translations

Translations of the word "marginalia" in other languages:

🇵🇹 marginalia

🇮🇳 मार्जिनालिया

🇩🇪 Marginalien

🇮🇩 marginalia

🇺🇦 маргіналія

🇵🇱 marginalia

🇯🇵 マージナリア

🇫🇷 marginalia

🇪🇸 marginalia

🇹🇷 marginalia

🇰🇷 마진알리아

🇸🇦 هامشية

🇨🇿 marginalia

🇸🇰 marginalia

🇨🇳 边注

🇸🇮 marginalia

🇮🇸 marginalia

🇰🇿 маргиналия

🇬🇪 მარგინალია

🇦🇿 marginalia

🇲🇽 marginalia

Word origin

The term 'marginalia' has its origins in the Latin word 'marginalis', meaning 'of or relating to the margin'. This evolved from the word 'margo', which means 'edge, border, or limit'. The practice of writing notes in the margins of texts dates back to ancient times, where scholars and readers found the need to annotate their thoughts and ideas directly alongside the text. Marginalia became particularly prominent in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, as books became more widely available and literacy increased. This practice serves not just as a way to enhance understanding but also acts as a historical record of personal engagement with literature, revealing how individuals interacted with the thoughts of others throughout history.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #33,508 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.