bibliothecary, n. and a.
(bɪblɪˈɒθɪkərɪ)
[ad. L. bibliothēcārius, -um; see bibliotheca and -ary1. Cf. F. bibliothécaire.]
A. n.
† 1. A library. Obs. [= L. *bibliothēcārium.]
| 1553–87 Foxe A. & M. I. 5/1 Taken out of the Popes bibliothecary, a suspected place. |
2. A librarian. [= L. bibliothēcārius.]
| 1611 Coryat Crudities 477 Mr. James Gruterus the Princes Bibliothecarie. 1700 in Misc. Cur. (1708) III. 400 Il Signior Abbate Bencini, Bibliothecary of the Propaganda. 1887 O. W. Holmes Hundred Days vi. 218 These two experts in books, the bibliopole and the bibliothecary. |
B. adj. Of or belonging to a library or librarian.
| 1820 Blackw. Mag. VIII. 252 These biographical jewels should not lie locked up in a bibliothecary cabinet. |
Hence bibliotheˈcarian a. and n. = prec.
| 1685 tr. Bossuet's Doctr. Cath. Ch. Advt. 7 M. l'Abbe Gradi..Bibliothecarian of the Vatican. 1701 Lond. Gaz. No. 3708/4 Ecclesiastical Historians and Bibliothecarians. 1716 M. Davies Ath. Brit. III. 92 A third well orderd Bibliothecarian Closet of Medals. |