How Do You Spell DECALCOMANIE?

Pronunciation: [dɪkˈalkəməni] (IPA)

Decalcomanie is a French borrowing that refers to a decorative technique in which an image or pattern is transferred onto a surface. The word is pronounced as [dɛkalcome'ni], with the stress falling on the second syllable. The initial "d" is followed by the schwa vowel "e", which is then followed by "c-a-l-c-o-m-a-n-i-e". The final "e" is silent. The spelling of the word can be tricky, given its French origin and the presence of multiple silent letters, but mastering it can help you appreciate the beauty of decalcomanie art.

DECALCOMANIE Meaning and Definition

1. Decalcomanie, also spelled as "decalcomania," is a technique used in art and crafts that involves transferring images or designs onto various surfaces. The term is derived from the French words "décalquer" (meaning "to trace" or "to copy") and "manie" (meaning "mania" or "obsession").

   In traditional decalcomanie, an image is transferred from a specially prepared paper onto a different surface, such as glass, pottery, fabric, or wood. The process typically involves printing the desired image onto a thin, translucent paper, which is then dampened with water or a solvent to loosen the ink. The wet paper is then carefully pressed onto the desired object, and pressure is applied to ensure the transfer of the image. Once the paper is peeled away, the image remains on the surface, adhering to it.

   Decalcomanie is often used as a decorative technique in various artistic fields, including ceramics, glassware, and handicrafts. It allows artists and craftspeople to easily replicate detailed images, patterns, or designs onto their chosen medium. Additionally, decalcomanie can be employed to create unique textures or visual effects by intentionally distorting or manipulating the images during the transfer process.

   In a broader sense, "decalcomanie" can also refer to a style or school of art characterized by the use of transfer techniques or the creation of designs that resemble transferred images. This term may also be used metaphorically to describe the process of copying or mimicking something, whether in art or in other contexts.

Common Misspellings for DECALCOMANIE

• secalcomanie
• xecalcomanie
• cecalcomanie
• fecalcomanie
• recalcomanie
• eecalcomanie
• dwcalcomanie
• dscalcomanie
• ddcalcomanie
• drcalcomanie
• d4calcomanie
• d3calcomanie
• dexalcomanie
• devalcomanie
• defalcomanie
• dedalcomanie
• deczlcomanie
• decslcomanie
• decwlcomanie

Etymology of DECALCOMANIE

The word "Decalcomanie" has its roots in French. It is derived from two French words: "décalquer" and "manie".

"Décalquer" means "to trace" or "to transfer" in English, and is a combination of two words: "dé-" (meaning "off" or "down") and "calquer" (meaning "to trace" or "to copy").

"Manie" translates to "mania" or "obsession" in English.

When combined, "décalquer" and "manie" create "Décalcomanie", which refers to a technique or process where a design or image is copied or transferred from one surface to another. The word itself suggests the idea of obsessively tracing or copying an image.