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/al"beuhm/, n.1. a bound or loose-leaf book consisting of blank pages, pockets, envelopes, etc., for storing or displaying photographs, stamps, or the like, or for collecting autographs.2. a phonograph record or set of records containing several musical selections, a complete play, opera, etc.: Her album of folk songs will be out next month.3. the package or container for such a record or records: The album has a pocket for each record.4. a printed book containing an anthology of writings, reproductions of photographs or artwork, musical compositions, etc.[1645-55; 1955-60 for def. 2; < L: neut. sing. of albus white, i.e., a blank (tablet) painted white for writing on]
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▪ Roman notice boardLatin Albus,in ancient Rome, a whitened board on which public notices were inscribed in black. The annals compiled by the pontifex maximus (chief priest), the annual edicts of the praetor, the lists of senators and jurors, the Acta diurna (an account of daily events), and other notices were placed on albums. From this practice is derived the present English word album, meaning a book of blank pages in which autographs, sketches, photographs, or the like are collected.* * *
Universalium. 2010.