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Glite Dictionary
ferrotype

ferrotype

9.9
An old photo made on a thin metal sheet popular in the 1800s
  • noun
  • /ˈfɛrəˌtaɪp/
  • Archaic
translation icon : ferrotipo
  • In the 19th century, many photographers used the ferrotype technique to create durable portraits on metal plates.

Examples

  • The tintype was originally called ferrotype by Frenchman Adolphe Alexander Martin in 1853.

    Academic text (2004)

  • Using the wet-plate collodion process, the only difference was that the ferrotype was made on a thin sheet of iron enameled black or brown.

    Academic text (2004)

  • The artist showcased her collection of ferrotypes at the gallery, captivating visitors with their unique metallic finish.

  • He found an old ferrotype of his great-grandparents during his visit to the antique shop, preserving a glimpse into the past.

Synonyms

daguerreotype
vsferrotype
  • Archaic
3 9.9

An early photograph made on a shiny metal plate using chemicals to fix the image

uses a thin metal sheet and a different simpler production method
tintype
vsferrotype
  • Archaic
2 9.9

An old photo made directly on a thin metal plate

means the same photograph type but uses an alternative historical name
ambrotype
vsferrotype
  • Archaic
9.9

An early photograph that is on a glass plate from the 1800s

uses thin metal rather than glass as the image support

Surface Forms

ferrotype singular
ferrotypes plural

Morphology

ferrotype = type (opaque) = ferro + type + ferro

Although built from 'ferro-' (iron) + 'type', 'ferro-' is a combining form not familiar to most learners and the resulting historical photographic sense (image on a metal plate) is specialized and not obvious from the parts.

Etymology

Ferrotype comes from ferro- meaning 'iron' and -type meaning a 'print' or 'impression'. So it literally means an 'iron print', which helps you remember it is a photograph made on a thin metal plate.