[f. BIBLIO- + Gr. λατρεία worship.] a. Extravagant admiration of a book. b. Excessive reverence for the mere letter of the Bible. Bibliolater [cf. idolater], one who entertains such excessive admiration or reverence. Bibliolatrist = prec. Bibliolatrous a., given to, or characterized by, bibliolatry.
a. 1763. Byrom, Bp. Glo’ster’s Doctr. Grace. If to adore an image be idolatry, To deify a book is bibliolatry.
1826. C. Robinson, Diary (1869), II. 330. Coleridge had convinced him that he was a bibliolatrist.
1847. De Quincey, Protest., Wks. VIII. 110. They … charge upon us Bibliolatry, or a superstitious allegiance—an idolatrous homage—to the words, to the syllables, and to the very punctuation of the Bible. Ibid., 116. It leaves the dispute with the bibliolaters wholly untouched. Ibid., 135. Bibliolatrous madness.
1865. Ellicott, Destiny of Creature (ed. 4), Pref. p. vi. The interpretations of Scripture on which these are based are narrow and bibliolatrous.
