biblioclast

[ bib-lee-uh-klast ]

noun

1. a person who mutilates or destroys books.

Other Words From

• bibli·o·clasm noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of biblioclast¹

First recorded in 1875–80; biblio- + (icono)clast

Example Sentences

Two interesting types of maniac are known respectively as the bibliotaph and the biblioclast.

From Project Gutenberg

A biblioclast is one who indulges himself in the questionable pleasure of mutilating books in order more sumptuously to fit out a particular volume.

From Project Gutenberg

Such depredations are not frequent, and only occur with books easily replaced, and do not therefore call for more than a passing mention; but it is a serious matter when Nature produces such a wicked old biblioclast as John Bagford, one of the founders of the Society of Antiquaries, who, in the beginning of the last century, went about the country, from library to library, tearing away title pages from rare books of all sizes.

From Project Gutenberg