bibliopole

American  

[bib-lee-uh-pohl] / ˈbɪb li əˌpoʊl /

Also bibliopolist

noun

1. a bookseller, especially a dealer in rare or used books.

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bibliopole British  

/ ˌbɪblɪˈɒpəlɪst, ˈbɪblɪəʊˌpəʊl /

noun

1. a dealer in books, esp rare or decorative ones

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Other Word Forms

• bibliopolar adjective
• bibliopolic adjective
• bibliopolical adjective
• bibliopolically adverb
• bibliopolism noun
• bibliopolistic adjective
• bibliopoly noun

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

Now an old London bibliopole is taking a leaf out of their book.

From Economist • Dec. 17, 2014

"The Snopeses are in the market," grumbled one bibliopole, as agents for wealthy clients pushed prices to new highs.

From Time Magazine Archive

Gabriel Wells, 85, onetime penniless Hungarian immigrant who won fame & fortune as bibliophile and bibliopole; in Manhattan.

From Time Magazine Archive

The elder Rodd died in 1822, and his son, the more famous bibliopole, succeeded to the business, which he developed in an extraordinary manner within a few years.

From The Book-Hunter in London Historical and Other Studies of Collectors and Collecting by Roberts, W. (William)

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 Stowe, Harriet Beecher