mehrbändige

Mehrbändige is a German term used to describe works that are published in several volumes. In bibliographic and publishing contexts, a mehrbändige edition comprises more than one physical book, as opposed to a einbändige edition, which is single-volume. The term is commonly applied to encyclopaedias, complete editions of an author’s works, scholarly reference sets, and large anthologies. The exact number of volumes can vary, and catalogs typically indicate the sequence (Band 1, Band 2, etc.) and the overall range.

The etymology reflects its meaning: mehr means “more,” and bändig derives from Band, meaning volume or binding. In practice, publishers may release volumes simultaneously or progressively as Teilbände (part volumes). Library records often distinguish mehrbändige editions from single-volume works, with notes on the total number of volumes and edition statements.

In cataloging and bibliographic practice, mehrbändig is a format qualifier about the work’s physical extent rather than its content. It interacts with other descriptors, such as edition, binding, and pagination, and can influence pricing, distribution, and preservation needs. With the growth of digitization, many mehrbändige works exist in parallel as digital collections, sometimes with each volume indexed separately in library systems.

Related terms includemehrteilig, which refers to content divided into parts and may or may not align with a multi-volume format. Overall, mehrbändig remains a common and practical descriptor in German publishing and library contexts for sizable, multi-volume works.