bibliopole
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of bibliopole
First recorded in 1710–20; from Latin bibliopōla, from Greek bibliopṓlēs ( biblio- biblio- + pōl- (stem of pōleîn “to offer for sale, sell”) + -ēs agentive suffix)
Explanation
A bibliopole is a buyer and seller of used books, especially rare ones. If you’re looking for a hard-to-find old book, find a bibliopole, probably busy at work in a used bookstore. The word bibliopole is from the Greek biblion for "book" and poles for "seller." The meaning is clear, but a bibliopole isn’t just a regular bookseller, it’s someone who sells second-hand or rare books. Looking for a copy of William Blake’s Illustrations of the Book of Job (1825)? Find a bibliopole. And a big stack of cash. Looking for the latest bestseller? Go to any ol’ bookstore and leave the bibliopoles alone. Most bibliopoles are bibliophiles — people who love books.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Now an old London bibliopole is taking a leaf out of their book.
From Economist ● Dec. 17, 2014
Gabriel Wells, 85, onetime penniless Hungarian immigrant who won fame & fortune as bibliophile and bibliopole; in Manhattan.
From Time Magazine Archive
"The Snopeses are in the market," grumbled one bibliopole, as agents for wealthy clients pushed prices to new highs.
From Time Magazine Archive
We went into the library, disturbing a quiet, good sort of bibliopole there, who, with some regret, put aside his book to guide us.
From Sunny Memories of Foreign Lands, Volume 2 by Harriet Beecher Stowe
He had served his time regularly, was a member of the Stationers' company, kept a shop in the face of mankind, purchased copyright, and was a bibliopole, Sir, in every sense.
From Boswell's Life of Johnson Abridged and edited, with an introduction by Charles Grosvenor Osgood by Charles Grosvenor Osgood
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