Exlibris
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Exlibris
Exlibris is a term that has been used for centuries to describe a type of bookplate that is used to identify the owner of a book. These plates are typically rectangular in shape and feature a combination of text, images, and illustrations. The text often includes the name of the book's owner, the date of acquisition, the place of purchase, and the name of the book's publisher or printer. The images and illustrations often feature the owner's initials, a family crest, or a scene from a book or poem. Exlibris plates are often printed on paper, cloth, leather, or metal, and are often embellished with gold or silver foil. One aspect of exlibris that is often overlooked is its historical significance. These plates were first used in the fifteenth century, and were primarily used by wealthy individuals to identify their books. In many cases, these plates were highly decorative and featured intricate designs that reflected the owner's personal tastes and interests. Over time, exlibris plates became more common, and were used by a wider range of individuals. Today, exlibris plates are still used by book collectors and enthusiasts, and are often highly sought after by collectors. These plates are often considered to be works of art in their own right, and are valued for their historical significance as well as their aesthetic appeal.
bookplate, ownership, identification, historical, decorative
CITATION : "David Martin. 'Exlibris.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/define/exlibris?E=281184 (Accessed on October 14, 2026)"
Exlibris
Exlibris is a Latin possessive or genitive noun, primarily used as a singular noun. Synonyms include bookplate, book label, bibliopegia, book mark and armorial. Antonyms are not easily found but Conlibris would be the opposite as it means without book. Cognates of the word include the Spanish Exlibros and Italian Exlibri. Variants of Exlibris include Exlibrism, Exlibrist, Exlibrista and Exlibristica.
Morphology, Exlibro, Exlibrism, Label, Bookplate, Bibliopegia, Armorial, Genitive, Possessive, Noun, Synonym, Antonym, Cognate, Variant, Etymology
Exlibris
The term ex‐libris originates from Latin, translated as “from the books of.” Historically, ex‐libris was used from the fifteenth to the seventeenth centuries on bookplates, or plaques that identify the owner of the book. The ex‐libris typically includes the name of the owner and may also include a motto or a family coat of arms. The use of ex‐libris has experienced a resurgence in modern times and has developed into a popular art form. From a linguistic perspective, the term ex‐libris has evolved to include the broader definition of a decorative label or mark that indicates ownership. The term is now typically used on any item of personal property, such as jewellery, furniture, art pieces and other items of value. Morphologically, ex‐libris can also be used to refer to a collective designation of small documents, notes and labels that may be used to indicate ownership or identity. On a pragmatic level, ex‐libris serves to distinguish an item as property of an individual and has come to strongly associate with the concept of ownership and identity.
Etymology, Morphology, Exlibris, Ownership, Identity
Exlibris
Exlibris is a Latin phrase which means “from the library of”, and appears as a phrase in bookplates or label. It is used to indicate the origin of ownership. Exlibris is also referred to as bookplate, library label, armorial bookplate or an owner's stamp. The term exlibris has equivalents in other languages, such as Ex-Libris (French), Ex-Libris (Italian), Ex-Libris (German), Ex-Libris (Spanish), Ex-Libris (Portuguese), Ex-Libris (Dutch), Ex-Libris (Polish), Ex-Libris (Czech), Ex-Libris (Hungarian), Ex-Libris (Romanian), Ex-Libris (Swedish), Ex-Libris (Greek), Ex-Libris (Croatian), Ex-Libris (Russian), Ex-Libris (Finnish), Ex-Libris (Slovenian), Ex-Libris (Bulgarian), Ex-Libris (Danish), Ex-Libris (Norwegian), Ex-Libris (Slovak), Ex-Libris (Turkish), Ex-Libris (Albanian), Ex-Libris (Ukrainian), Ex-Libris (Armenian), Ex-Libris (Lithuanian) and Ex-Libris (Estonian).
Bookplate, library label, armorial bookplate, owner's stamp, Ex-Libris French, Italian, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Romanian, Swedish, Greek, Croatian, Russian, Finnish, Slovenian, Bulgarian, Danish, Norwegian, Slova
Exlibris
Exlibris is a type of bookplate, which is a printed or decorative label pasted into a book to identify the owner. Exlibris plates are usually rectangular in shape and feature a combination of text, images, and illustrations. The text often includes the name of the book's owner, the date of acquisition, the place of purchase, and the name of the book's publisher or printer. The images and illustrations often feature the owner's initials, a family crest, or a scene from a book or poem. Exlibris plates are often printed on paper, cloth, leather, or metal, and are often embellished with gold or silver foil.
Exlibris, bookplate, book label, book identification, book owner, book publisher.
Exlibris on Design+Encyclopedia
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