bibliographie

Forms

bibliographie f (plural bibliographies)^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French biblio- + -graphie, a learned coinage.^[2][1][3] The first element comes from Ancient Greek βιβλίον (biblíon, “book”) (see Bible),^[3][4] the second from γράφω (gráphō, “to write”).^[5][6][7] Littré instead takes it from Greek βιβλιογραφία (bibliographía), from βιβλιογράφος (bibliográphos).^[8]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first recorded on 16 June 1633, in a letter from Naudé to Peiresc, meaning a list of writings on a given subject.^[3][7]

Semantic evolution

The sense of a reasoned list of writings on a subject, an author or a source is still the most usual one; it extends to a work containing such a list and to the list of references in a book.^[2] Since 1762, when the Académie defined it as the science of the bibliographer, it has also meant the study of written documents, linked in the 20th century with documentation.^[3][2] The clipped form biblio is recorded from 1943.^[2][6]

Timeline

• 1633 – Naudé uses it in a letter to Peiresc for a list of writings.^[3]
• 1665 – The derivative bibliographe is recorded.^[2][4]
• 1762 – The Académie defines it as the science of the bibliographer.^[3]
• 1778 – The adjective bibliographique is recorded.^[2]
• 1901 – Alfred Jarry uses the verb bibliographier.^[2]
• 1943 – The clipping biblio appears.^[2][6]

Meanings

Noun

1. (formal) The study of written documents, their description, classification and publication, especially of books.^[6][3]
2. A list of writings on a given subject or by an author; the list of works cited in a book or thesis: la bibliographie d'un mémoire.^[6][7]
3. A periodical list of newly published books.^[6][7]

Word family

• bibliographe
• bibliographique
• bibliographier
• biblio

Related words

• Bible
• Ancient Greek βιβλίον (biblíon)

References

1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
3. ^ a b c d e f g Trésor de la langue française informatisé (2004), ATILF – CNRS & Université de Lorraine, atilf.fr/tlfi; electronic version of Imbs, Paul; Quemada, Bernard, eds. (1971–1994), Trésor de la langue française, Paris: CNRS / Gallimard
4. ^ a b Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
5. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
6. ^ a b c d e f Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
7. ^ a b c d Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
8. ^ Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette