Perditor

Perditor is a term that can refer to several things, most notably in the context of historical texts and libraries. It originates from the Latin word "perditus," meaning lost or destroyed.

In archival and library science, a "perditor" is a document or collection of documents that has been lost or is presumed lost. This could be due to damage, theft, misplacement, or deliberate destruction. The term signifies a gap in the historical record and can be a source of frustration for researchers seeking to access primary sources. Efforts are sometimes made to locate perdita, particularly for items of significant historical or cultural value.

The concept of perditor also appears in discussions about the destruction of knowledge. Throughout history, libraries and archives have been targets of conflict, censorship, or neglect, leading to the irretrievable loss of vast amounts of information. These events contribute to the ongoing challenge of reconstructing and understanding the past. The study of perdita involves analyzing evidence that suggests the existence of lost materials, such as references in surviving texts or inventories.