biblioklept

American  

[bib-lee-uh-klept] / ˈbɪb li əˌklɛpt /

noun

1. a person who steals books.

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Etymology

Origin of biblioklept

1880–85; biblio- + Greek kléptēs thief; see kleptomania

Explanation

Mysterious gaps in your collection of romance or sci-fi novels might mean a friend borrowed a few without asking, or it might mean a dastardly biblioklept, a book thief, is on the loose. Biblioklept comes from the Greek roots biblio, meaning "book," and klept, meaning "thief." From klept, we also get the word kleptomania, a compulsion to steal regardless of financial need. When that compulsion is specifically to steal books, it's called bibliokleptomania. Interestingly, a habitual biblioklept is probably also a bibliophile, one who loves books.

Example Sentences

Again, the question may be raised, whether is the Robustious Philistine who despises books, or the biblioklept who adores them out of measure and excessively, the worse citizen?

From The Library by Lang, Andrew

This sentence has naturally caused us to reflect on the ethical character of the biblioklept.

From The Library by Lang, Andrew

Among Royal persons, Catherine de Medici, according to Brantome, was a biblioklept.

From The Library by Lang, Andrew

But the extreme is found in covetousness, and the covetous man who is in the extreme state of book-loving, is the biblioklept, or book-stealer.

From The Library by Lang, Andrew

The Book-Ghoul is he who combines the larceny of the biblioklept with the abominable wickedness of breaking up and mutilating the volumes from which he steals.

From The Library by Lang, Andrew