Bibliomania
/ˌbɪb.li.oʊˈmeɪ.ni.ə/noun
An extreme passion for collecting books.
Did you know?In the 19th century, bibliomania was often seen as a psychological disorder, leading collectors to hoard books in unhealthy ways, reflecting a deep-seated fear of knowledge loss.
Etymological Timeline
Late Latin
Latin
bibliomania
“A term referring to the madness or frenzy related to books.”
Middle Ages
Latin
biblion
“Small book or scroll, emphasizing the sacredness of texts.”
Middle Ages
Latin
mania
“Insanity or madness, derived from Greek for a frenzied state.”
19th Century
English
bibliomania
“Coined to describe the obsessive collecting of books, often leading to excessive habits.”
Modern English
English
bibliomania
“Used to describe a fervent love of books, sometimes bordering on madness.”
Explore more surprising origins