Dictionary-Definition.com :: Printing definition

Definition of 'printing'

noun

Text handwritten in the style of printed matter

noun

The business of producing printed material for sale or distribution

noun

Reproduction by applying ink to paper as for publication [syn: printing, printing process]

noun

All the copies of a work printed at one time; "they ran off an initial printing of 2000 copies" [syn: impression, printing]

From: GCIDE

Printing \Print"ing\, n. The act, art, or practice of impressing letters, characters, or figures on paper, cloth, or other material; the business of a printer, including typesetting and presswork, with their adjuncts; typography; also, the act of producing photographic prints. [1913 Webster]
Block printing. See under Block.
Printing frame (Photog.), a shallow box, usually having a glass front, in which prints are made by exposure to light.
Printing house, a printing office.
Printing ink, ink used in printing books, newspapers, etc. It is composed of lampblack or ivory black mingled with linseed or nut oil, made thick by boiling and burning. Other ingredients are employed for the finer qualities. --Ure.
Printing office, a place where books, pamphlets, or newspapers, etc., are printed.
Printing paper, paper used in the printing of books, pamphlets, newspapers, and the like, as distinguished from writing paper, wrapping paper, etc.
Printing press, a press for printing, books, newspaper, handbills, etc.
Printing wheel, a wheel with letters or figures on its periphery, used in machines for paging or numbering, or in ticket-printing machines, typewriters, etc.; a type wheel. [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

Print \Print\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Printed; p. pr. & vb. n. Printing.] [Abbrev. fr. imprint. See Imprint, and Press to squeeze.]
1. To fix or impress, as a stamp, mark, character, idea, etc., into or upon something. [1913 Webster]
A look will print a thought that never may remove. --Surrey. [1913 Webster]
Upon his breastplate he beholds a dint, Which in that field young Edward's sword did print. --Sir John Beaumont. [1913 Webster]
Perhaps some footsteps printed in the clay. --Roscommon. [1913 Webster]
2. To stamp something in or upon; to make an impression or mark upon by pressure, or as by pressure. [1913 Webster]
Forth on his fiery steed betimes he rode, That scarcely prints the turf on which he trod. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
3. Specifically: To strike off an impression or impressions of, from type, or from stereotype, electrotype, or engraved plates, or the like; in a wider sense, to do the typesetting, presswork, etc., of (a book or other publication); as, to print books, newspapers, pictures; to print an edition of a book. [1913 Webster]
4. To stamp or impress with colored figures or patterns; as, to print calico. [1913 Webster]
5. (Photog.) To take (a copy, a positive picture, etc.), from a negative, a transparent drawing, or the like, by the action of light upon a sensitized surface. [1913 Webster]
Printed goods, textile fabrics printed in patterns, especially cotton cloths, or calicoes. [1913 Webster]