Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun Knowledge gained from books.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun Alternative term for book-learning
  • noun Factual information concerning books, for example regarding such matters as authors and the history of publication and printing.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From Middle English boclore, from Old English bōclār ("booklore, learning"), equivalent to book +‎ lore.

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Examples

  • Sort of defeats the purpose, but since I had to register I thought I'd have something. booklore, if you're really curious.

    Making Light: Making Light on Twitter 2009

  • He used the Golden Legend, Huon de Meri's allegorical poem of the fight between Jesus and the Antichrist, Peter Comestor's Bible History, Rustebeuf's La Voie de Paradis, Grosseteste's religious allegory of Le Chastel d 'Amour, the paraded learning of Vincent of Beauvais in Speculum Historiale, and other works -- numerous and small signs of booklore, which are completely overshadowed by his illuminating comprehension of the popular side in the politics of his day.

    Old English Libraries; The Making, Collection and Use of Books During the Middle Ages 1911

  • More than once he saw Madge's quick wit twinkle through her booklore.

    A Dozen Ways Of Love Lily Dougall 1890

  • They must be learnt I know, but a noble needs booklore too, 'said the boy.

    The Herd Boy and His Hermit Charlotte Mary Yonge 1862

  • Canada can boast of many good and even distinguished authors, and the love of books and booklore is daily increasing.

    Roughing It in the Bush Susanna Moodie 1844

  • Happily, too, she has not been reared in the stereotyped boarding-school shallowness of knowledge and vulgarities of gentility; but educated, like myself, by the free influences of Nature, longing for no halls and palaces save those that we build as we list, in fairyland; educated to comprehend and share the fancies which are more than booklore to the worshipper of art and song.

    Kenelm Chillingly — Complete Edward Bulwer Lytton Lytton 1838

  • Happily, too, she has not been reared in the stereotyped boarding-school shallowness of knowledge and vulgarities of gentility; but educated, like myself, by the free influences of Nature, longing for no halls and palaces save those that we build as we list, in fairyland; educated to comprehend and share the fancies which are more than booklore to the worshipper of art and song.

    Kenelm Chillingly — Volume 08 Edward Bulwer Lytton Lytton 1838

  • a true appreciation of the booklore of our ancestors, a keen eye and the love of fair play of the true sportsman.

    Reno — a Book of Short Stories and Information Lilyan Stratton

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