Definition

Noun: A blank leaf, typically of paper, that is part of the front or back endpapers of a book. It is the leaf immediately inside the front or back cover, often left intentionally blank.

Usage

The flyleaf is a structural part of a book's binding. It is the page that is pasted to the inside of the cover, with its other half forming the first or last free page of the book. It is commonly used for inscriptions, such as a dedication or owner's signature.

Examples

• The author signed her name on the flyleaf of my copy.
• I found a beautiful old inscription on the front flyleaf of the antique book.
• The flyleaf was torn, but the rest of the book was in good condition.

Advanced Usage

• Historical Provenance: In rare book collecting, notes or bookplates on a flyleaf can provide important provenance, documenting the book's ownership history.
• Conservation: A damaged flyleaf can often be repaired or replaced by a book conservator without affecting the main text block.

Variants and Related Words

• Endpaper: A more general term for the sheets at the front and back of a book that are glued to the covers. A flyleaf is the part of the endpaper that is not pasted down.
• Pastdown: The part of the endpaper that is glued directly to the book's cover board. The flyleaf is the free leaf adjacent to it.

Synonyms

• Blank leaf
• Endleaf

Notes

The term specifically refers to the blank leaf itself. It is not used to describe the cover, the title page, or any page containing printed text from the main work.

Noun

1. a blank leaf in the front or back of a book