[a. F. bibliophile, f. BIBLIO- + Gr. φίλος friend.] A lover of books; a book-fancier; also as adj. Bibliophilic a., of or pertaining to a bibliophile. Bibliophilism, the principles and practice of a bibliophile. Bibliophilist, a bibliophile. Bibliophilistic a., of or befitting a bibliophilist. Bibliophilous a., addicted to bibliophily. Bibliophily [F. bibliophilie], love of books, taste for books.
1824. Dibdin, Libr. Comp., 780. The work … has been reprinted by the Society of *Bibliophiles at Paris.
1883. Pall Mall Gaz., 12 Oct., 5/1. A bibliophil, an autograph and print collector.
1883. American, VI. 25. A *bibliophilic rarity and treasure.
1824. Dibdin, Libr. Comp., 4. Manias which sometimes … bring disgrace upon the good old cause of *bibliophilism.
1883. Daily News, 1 March, 5/1. This quaint rule of *bibliophilistic morality, ‘no harm in stealing a book if he does not mean to sell it, but to keep it,’
1882. Stevenson, Men & Bks., 277. The widow of one Jean Fougère, a bookbinder, seems to have done a number odd commissions for the *bibliophilous count.
1883. Athenæum, 2 June, 702/2. The old reputation of France as the true home of elegant *bibliophily.
