[a. Gr. βιβλιογραφία book-writing: cf. F. bibliographie.]
† 1. The writing of books. Obs.
1678. in Phillips (App.)
2. The systematic description and history of books, their authorship, printing, publication, editions, etc.
1814. Dibdin, Bibl. Spencer., I. Pref. p. v. The Study of Bibliography in this country is perhaps in its infancy.
1854. Allibone, Dict. Eng. Lit., Pref. 5. Some other manuals of a similar character are very defective in bibliography.
1870. Emerson, Soc. & Solit., viii. 168. The annals of bibliography afford many examples of the delirious extent to which book-fancying can go.
3. A book containing such details.
1838. Hallam, Hist. Lit., I. I. iii. 184, note. No such book appears in any of the bibliographies.
4. A list of the books of a particular author, printer, or country, or of those dealing with any particular theme; the literature of a subject.
1869. W. Rowlands (title), Cambrian Bibliography.
1879. R. H. Shepherd (title), The Bibliography of Ruskin.
1882. Nature, XXVI. 26. The literature or bibliography of the species of the Orthocerata.
