COMPOSE STICK Meaning and
Definition
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Compose Stick:
A compose stick, also known as a composing stick, is a traditional handheld tool used in printing and typesetting. It is a straight metal or wooden device with a length ranging from 10 to 20 inches, often featuring notches or grooves to aid in alignment. Its purpose is to hold individual pieces of movable type in place while the printer manually arranges the characters in a desired order for printing.
The compose stick consists of two parallel sides, forming a channel in which the types are inserted. The bottom of the stick usually has markings indicating the measurement of the composed line, such as inches or picas, enabling the printer to maintain a consistent line length. The types are arranged upside down and in a reverse order, as they will print in the right direction upon transfer.
Printers use the compose stick for small-scale or manual typesetting tasks, such as in letterpress printing or typesetting for newspapers and books. It allows them to create lines of text by assembling individual types, ensuring precision and proper alignment. Once the types are set and adjusted, they can be transferred to a printing press or plate for actual printing.
Although composing sticks have largely been replaced by computer-based typesetting and printing technologies in modern times, they hold historical significance and serve as a reminder of traditional printing techniques.
Etymology of COMPOSE STICK
The term "compose stick" is primarily associated with the field of typography, particularly in the context of traditional typesetting. It refers to a handheld tool used by typesetters to arrange individual pieces of metal type in a composing stick, which is a rectangular tray-like device. The etymology of this term is based on the function and physical characteristics of the tool itself.
The word "compose" is derived from the Latin word "componere", meaning "to put together" or "to arrange". In traditional typesetting, typesetters would manually arrange individual metal type pieces, each bearing a specific letter or character, in the composing stick to form words and sentences.
The term "stick" in this context refers to the physical tool used for composition. A composing stick typically consisted of a long, slim and rectangular-shaped tray made of wood or metal, into which the typesetter would place the individual metal type pieces.
