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Glite Dictionary
typecase

typecase

9.8
A box with small sections for holding letters used in printing
  • noun
  • /ˈtaɪpˌkeɪs/
  • Archaic
translation icon : caja de tipos
  • Each typecase was filled with different letterforms to ensure efficient typesetting.

Examples

  • To preserve the wooden letters, she kept them organized in a sturdy typecase.

  • Restif de la Bretonne composing his novels "typecase by typecase."

    Academic text (2005)

  • Restif de la Bretonne composing his novels "typecase by typecase."

    Academic text (2005)

  • The printer carefully arranged the letters in the typecase to prepare for the next print run.

Synonyms

case
vstypecase
  • Archaic
64 8.6

A box with small spaces for holding letters used in old printing

is the specific organized box used to store and arrange movable type for presses
typesetter's case
vstypecase
  • Archaic
9.9

A shallow tray with small spaces for holding metal letters used in printing

is a general compartmentalized box for storing movable type at printing presses

How Specialized

typecase
  • Archaic
9.8
case
∞ 1.0
cabinet
168 1.3
box
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

typecase singular
typecases plural

Morphology

typecase = type + case (semi-transparent) = type + case

The compound structure 'type' + 'case' clearly indicates a container for 'type', but the printing-specific sense of 'type' (movable letters) makes the term specialized and not fully transparent to general learners.

Etymology

Typecase is just type ('the small metal letters used in old printing') plus case ('a box'). Think of it as a small suitcase for letters with many little compartments, which is why a typecase is a box used to store and organize movable type.