n. 1. The act of stamping; as, a stamp of the foot.
2Sense 2. That which stamps; any instrument for making impressions on other bodies.
’Tis gold so pure
It can not bear the stamp without alloy. Dryden.
3Sense 3. The mark made by stamping; a mark imprinted; an impression.
That sacred name gives ornament and grace,
And, like his stamp, makes basest metals pass. Dryden.
4Sense 4. That which is marked; a thing stamped. “Hanging a golden stamp about their necks.” Shak.
5Sense 5. [Fr. estampe, Sp. estampa, It. stampa.] A picture cut in wood or metal, or made by impression; a cut; a plate. [Obs.]
At Venice they put out very curious stamps of the several edifices which are most famous for their beauty and magnificence. Addison.
6Sense 6. An official mark set upon things chargeable with duty to government, as evidence that the duty is paid; as, the stamps on English newspapers.
7Sense 7. Hence, a stamped or printed device, issued by the government at a fixed price, and required by law to be affixed to certain papers, as evidence that the government dues are paid; as, a postage stamp, a receipt stamp, and the like.
8Sense 8. An instrument for cutting out materials, as paper, leather, &c., into various forms, by a downward pressure.
9Sense 9. A character of reputation, good or bad, fixed on any thing; as, these persons have the stamp of impiety; the Scriptures bear the stamp of a divine origin.
10Sense 10. Current value derived from suffrage or attestation; authority.
Of the same stamp is that which is obtruded on us, that an adamant suspends the attraction of the lodestone. Browne.
11Sense 11. Make; cast; form; character; as, a man of the same stamp, or of a different stamp. “A soldier of this season’s stamp.” Shak.
12Sense 12. (Metal.) A kind of hammer, or pestle, raised by water or steam power, for beating ores to powder; any thing like a pestle, used for pounding or beating.
13Sense 13. A halfpenny. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.