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library

English translation: bookcase

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
English term or phrase:library
Selected answer:bookcase
Entered by: Ltemes

17:01 Aug 18, 2004
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Furniture / Household Appliances
English term or phrase: library
I've a German text which uses the word Bibliothek (=library) to describe a piece of household furniture.

In modern English, can the word 'library' refer to shelving systems and bookcases, or only to the collection of books (or videos, CDs etc.) kept there (not to mention the building itself)?

Merriam Webster says:
"a place in which literary, musical, artistic, or reference materials (as books, manuscripts, recordings, or films) are kept for use but not for sale"

My question is, is it still a library if the shelves are all empty? IOW, can the furniture be referred to as a library?

TIA
Cilian O'Tuama
Germany
Local time: 10:15
bookcase
Explanation:
that's how I've always refered to the furniture piece.

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Note added at 3 mins (2004-08-18 17:04:53 GMT)
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However, in Spanish, for example, the piece of furniture can also be called a \"library\" (i.e. biblioteca) but is usually called \"estantería. I know this question is not in Spanish but it\'s just to explain it does happen in other languages.

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Note added at 5 mins (2004-08-18 17:06:59 GMT)
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To answer your question, when someone says \"I\'ve got a nice library collection at home\", I have no doubt they\'re refering to the books in their bookcases, and not the bookcase itself.

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Note added at 6 mins (2004-08-18 17:07:52 GMT)
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To answer your question, when someone says \"I\'ve got a nice library at home\", I have no doubt they\'re refering to the books in their bookcases, and not the bookcase itself.

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Note added at 7 mins (2004-08-18 17:09:04 GMT)
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To answer you second question, if the shelves are empty it\'s NOT a library.
Selected response from:

Ltemes
United States
Local time: 01:15
Grading comment
'bookcase' it is - many thanks to all(!) contributors
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
5 +10bookcase
Ltemes
1 +1bookshelves
Jonathan MacKerron


Discussion entries: 4





  

Answers


1 min   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +10
bookcase


Explanation:
that's how I've always refered to the furniture piece.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 3 mins (2004-08-18 17:04:53 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

However, in Spanish, for example, the piece of furniture can also be called a \"library\" (i.e. biblioteca) but is usually called \"estantería. I know this question is not in Spanish but it\'s just to explain it does happen in other languages.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 5 mins (2004-08-18 17:06:59 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

To answer your question, when someone says \"I\'ve got a nice library collection at home\", I have no doubt they\'re refering to the books in their bookcases, and not the bookcase itself.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 6 mins (2004-08-18 17:07:52 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

To answer your question, when someone says \"I\'ve got a nice library at home\", I have no doubt they\'re refering to the books in their bookcases, and not the bookcase itself.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 7 mins (2004-08-18 17:09:04 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

To answer you second question, if the shelves are empty it\'s NOT a library.

Ltemes
United States
Local time: 01:15
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in SpanishSpanish
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
'bookcase' it is - many thanks to all(!) contributors

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Kim Metzger: Library shelving? http://www.brit-star.u-net.com/News/Library.htm
16 mins
agree  lindaellen (X)
21 mins
agree  Alfa Trans (X)
37 mins
agree  Aisha Maniar
1 hr
agree  langnet
2 hrs
agree  Tony M: Yes, the same occurs in French too; but as an individual item of furniture, I'm sure this is it
3 hrs
agree  DGK T-I: you can also talk about 'library furniture' for items specially made for a library (including the room intended for books & reading,in a private house,for those so lucky),eg: library chairs & library shelving.I've never met 'library'alone,as furn. in Eng.
3 hrs
agree  humbird: It is a collective noun that includes books and book cases, but never used in reference to a piece of furniture. It has to be a booklover's special corner (or room, big or small) in his/her house.
5 hrs
agree  T Crotogino
9 hrs
agree  Saleh Chowdhury, Ph.D.
11 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 1/5Answerer confidence 1/5 peer agreement (net): +1
bookshelves


Explanation:
might fit

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Note added at 2 hrs 35 mins (2004-08-18 19:37:07 GMT)
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sufficiently vague to no be completely wrong...

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Note added at 2 hrs 35 mins (2004-08-18 19:37:24 GMT)
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sufficiently vague to not be completely wrong...

Jonathan MacKerron
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  DGK T-I: agree Kim & Jonathan (also possible, although bookcase might be nicer if a special piece of furniture is meant)
1 hr
neutral  Refugio: Not bookshelves, but maybe 'book shelving system' if it can be taken apart and reinstalled elsewhere.
6 hrs
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