grangerisation
/ˈɡɹeɪnʒəɹɪˌzeɪʃən/
grangerisation means the practice of illustrating a book with pictures taken from published sources, such as by clipping them out for one's own use. It carries an Arena rating of 1232, earned across 6 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, grangerisation ranks #569 of 17,132 for Most Betrayed by Its Sound, #919 of 17,128 for Most Ponderous Words, #1,035 of 17,163 for Funniest Words, #2,651 of 17,104 for Most Storied Words.
grangerisation is pronounced /ˈɡɹeɪnʒəɹɪˌzeɪʃən/.
Why “grangerisation” is a great word
The systematic augmentation of a printed book by inserting illustrations—typically portraits, maps, or engravings—culled from other publications. Named after English biographer James Granger (1723–1776), whose 1769 'Biographical History of England' invited readers to add illustrative portraits, the term came into use from the 1880s. Unlike "extra-illustration," a more clinical bibliographic synonym, or "collage," a general artistic assemblage, grangerisation is a specific, possessive act of scholarly homage. It is the crisp scent of fresh glue on marbled endpapers, the satisfying heft of a volume swollen with foxed acquisitions, and the silent, obsessive hunt through flea markets for the perfect likeness—a quiet testament to the reader's desire to not merely own a book, but to physically complete the author's vision, stitch by careful stitch.
Etymology
Named after English biographer James Granger (1723–1776).
noun
- The practice of illustrating a book with pictures taken from published sources, such as by clipping them out for one's own use.
- A book illustrated by this process.
Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).
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