Bibliotheca
/ˌbɪb.lɪˈoʊ.θɪ.kə/noun
A collection of books, especially a library or a systematic arrangement of books.
Did you know?In ancient Greece, libraries were seen as temples of knowledge, where only the initiated could access the sacred texts believed to hold powerful secrets.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
βιβλιοθήκη
“A storehouse for books, a collection or repository of scrolls.”
Late Latin
Latin
bibliotheca
“A collection of books or a library, derived directly from Greek.”
Middle English
Middle English
bibliotheke
“An adaptation reflecting the Latin form, referring to a book collection.”
Modern English
English
bibliotheca
“A term used to denote libraries or collections of books, retaining the Latin form.”
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