See Also: DNA library(medicine)
library(dictionary)
library(medicine)
library(encyclopedia)
library(dictionary)
lending library(dictionary)
peptide library(medicine)
Arrayed library(health)
Digital Library(law)
Alexandria, Library of(encyclopedia)

library (iou)



library noun. LME.
[Old & mod. French librairie (mod. = bookshop, book trade) from Proto-Romance alt. of Latin libraria bookshop, use as noun of librarius: see LIBRARIAN, -ARY1, -Y3.]
A large organized collection of books for reading or reference, for use by the public or by a specific group; an individual's collection of books. LME.
R. Graves Collecting a library of the pagan Classics. K. Clark His brother..had a large library, but his books were chosen for their instructive texts.
b. A mass of learning or knowledge; a source or the sources providing knowledge or learning. LME.
J. Hawthorne Cards and men formed the library of the Duchess of Marlborough.
c. A collection of films, gramophone records, computer routines etc., esp. when organized or sorted for some specific purpose. E20.
d. Genetics. A collection of bacterial cultures each transfected with a piece of genetic material, esp. forming a complete set representing a chromosome or genome; a collection of genes so transfected. Also, the set of genes common to a group of organisms. L20.
A building or room containing such a collection of books, films, records, music, etc.; an institution or organization holding such a collection. LME.
A. Radcliffe The library occupied the west side of the chateau. R. Quirk Our bookshelves and libraries are full of books on the use of words.
b. A theatre-ticket agency. slang. E19.
A series of books, gramophone records, etc., issued by a publisher in similar bindings etc. as a set. L17.
Phrases: circulating library a small library with books lent to a group of subscribers in turn. free library: see FREE adjective. lending library: see LEND verb. public library: see PUBLIC adjective. reference library: see REFERENCE noun. travelling library: see TRAVELLING ppl adjective. twopenny library: see TWOPENNY adjective 2.
Comb.: library binding a special strong binding of books for lending libraries; library edition an edition of good size and print and strongly bound; spec. a uniform edition of a writer's works; library-frame glasses, library glasses spectacles with heavy frames suitable for use when reading; library school a college teaching librarianship; library science librarianship as a subject of study; library spectacles = library-frame glasses above; library steps a stepladder for use in a library.