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ex libris

[ eks lee-bris, lahy- ]

  1. from the library of (a phrase inscribed in or on a book before the name of the owner):

    Ex libris Jane Doe.



noun

, plural ex li·bris
  1. an inscription in or on a book, to indicate the owner; bookplate.

ex libris

/ ɛks ˈliːbrɪs /

adjective

  1. from the collection or library of: frequently printed on bookplates
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


noun

  1. a bookplate bearing the owner's name, coat of arms, etc
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of ex libris1

First recorded in 1875–80, ex libris is from Latin ex lībrīs “out of the books (of), from the books (of)”
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Word History and Origins

Origin of ex libris1

C19: from Latin, literally: from the books (of)
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Example Sentences

There has grown up, too, quite a literature about the making of the book beautiful—whereof the Ex-Libris Series alone is witness.

Our copy is in the original full calf gold stamped binding, with the ex libris of James Maidment.

The larger is bound in as a frontispiece; the smaller (the ex-libris) is inserted at the beginning.

On the fly-leaf, in very faded ink, is written 'Ex libris Guliolmi Whyte.'

A copy of this edition bears the inscription, Ex libris Gul: Congreve.

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ex lib.Exmoor