Stereotype

(Synop., §130), n. [Fr. stéréotype, fr. Gr. στερεός, firm, solid, and τύπος, type. See TYPE.]

1Sense 1. A plate of fixed metallic types for printing books.

☞ A stereotype, or stereotype plate, is made by setting movable types as for ordinary printing: from these a cast is taken in plaster of Paris, and upon this cast melted type-metal is poured, which, when hardened, makes a solid page or column, from which the impression is taken upon paper by means of a press.

2Sense 2. The art of making plates of fixed metallic types, or of executing work on such plates.

Stereotype block, a block, usually of wood, to which a stereotype plate is attached while being used in printing.