incunabula Hear it!

incunabula Definition

in·cu·nabu·la (in′kyo̵̅o̅ nab′yo̵̅o̅ lə, -yə lə)

-·u·lum-ləm

  1. the very first stages of anything; infancy; beginnings
  2. early printed books; esp., books printed before 1500

Etymology: L, neut. pl., swaddling clothes, cradle origin < in-, in + cunabula, neut. pl., a cradle, dim. of cunae, fem. pl., a cradle < IE *oinā, bed < base *kei-, to lie down > home

incunabula Related Forms
in′·cu·nab′u·lar adjective
incunabula Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • include: Items on display included incunabula, fine bindings, early historical works, miniature literary texts and children's books.

Modifies a noun

  • collection: A work held in UCL's Incunabula collection; one of the special collections in the M25 area.