bibliopegy

[ bib-lee-op-uh-jee ]

noun

1. the art of binding books.

Other Words From

• bib·li·o·peg·ic [bib-lee-, uh, -, pej, -ik, -, pee, -jik], adjective
• bibli·ope·gist noun
• bibli·ope·gistic bibli·ope·gisti·cal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of bibliopegy¹

1825–35; biblio- + Greek pēg- (stem of pēgnýnai to fasten) + -y ³

Example Sentences

Rosenbloom, a rare-books specialist drawn to issues of mortality, plumbs a practice experts call anthropodermic bibliopegy.

From New York Times

I had a vague sense that the practice of binding books in skin — technically called anthropodermic bibliopegy — was associated with the Nazis; they were long rumored to have made lampshades out of human skin.

From New York Times

In fact, anthropodermic bibliopegy was not the practice of some singularly heinous regime.

From New York Times

Rosenbloom came upon a case of leather-bound books whose display text claimed they were made of human skin — via a process called anthropodermic bibliopegy, practiced by 19th century doctors who wanted to give their own collections a special touch.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr. Gordon has also started a database to track examples of anthropodermic bibliopegy held at other institutions.

From New York Times