Type Comes From the Word for a Struck Impression
A type is a category or printed letter. The Greek root means a blow and its mark.
A type is a category, or a piece of metal bearing a raised letter for printing. Greek *typos* meant a blow and then the mark left by one, which covers both senses exactly: printing type strikes an impression on paper, and a type of thing shares a common stamp. The printing sense gives *typeface*, *typography* and *typewriter*. *Typical* means conforming to the stamp, *prototype* is the first impression made, and *archetype* the original pattern all others copy.
- A category. *A type of tree.*
- Printing letters. *Movable type.*
- To use a keyboard. *Typing quickly.*
- Typical. *Typical behaviour.*
- Greek — *typos*, a blow. *The root.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | type | A type. |
| Verb | type | Typing. |
| Adjective | typical | Typical. |
| Related | prototype | A prototype. |
| Greek | typos | An impression. |
- What type is it?Category.
- Gutenberg used movable type.Printing.
- Typos means a blow.Etymology.
The typos family
- Type — an impression, hence a category
- Typical — conforming to the stamp
- Prototype — the first impression made
- Archetype — the original pattern
- Stereotype — a solid printing plate, then a fixed idea
Latin *typus*, from Greek *typos*, a blow or the impression it leaves, from *typtein*, to strike.
What does type literally mean?
The mark left by a blow. Printing type strikes an impression, and a type of thing shares a common stamp.
Where does stereotype come from?
From a solid printing plate cast from movable type, which could reproduce the same page endlessly.