type

type [tīp]

n.

[LL(Ec) typus, a model, symbol < L & Gr: L, a figure < Gr typos, a figure, archetype, model, orig., a blow, mark made by a blow < typtein: see TYMPAN]

1. a person, thing, or event that represents or symbolizes another, esp. another that it is thought will appear later; symbol; token; sign

2. Rare a distinguishing mark, sign, or impress

3. the general form, structure, plan, style, etc. characterizing or distinguishing the members of a class or group

4. a kind, class, or group having distinguishing characteristics in common [a new type of airplane, an animal of the dog type]: in informal usage, often used elliptically immediately preceding the noun [ a new type airplane ]

5. a person, animal, or thing that is representative of, or has the distinctive characteristics of, a class or group; typical individual or instance

6. a perfect example; model; pattern; archetype

7. Informal an odd or eccentric person; character

8. Agric. the combination of characters of an animal or breed that make it most suitable for a particular use [beef type, dairy type]

9. Biol.

a) the single specimen designated as the one on which the original description and name of a taxon have been based

b) TYPE GENUS or TYPE SPECIES

10. Math. the simplest of a set of equivalent forms

11. Printing

a) a rectangular piece of metal or, esp. formerly, wood, with a raised letter, figure, etc. in reverse on its upper end which, when inked and pressed against a piece of paper or other material, as in a printing press or on a typewriter, leaves an ink impression of its face; also, such pieces collectively or the characters printed from them

b) a character or characters formed electronically and produced by a computer printer

c) photographic reproductions of print used in photocomposition

d) a particular face of type

vt.

typed, typing

1. Now Rare

a) to prefigure

b) to typify; represent

2. to classify according to type [to be typed as a villain]

3. to write using the keyboard of a typewriter or computer

4. Med. to determine the type of (a blood sample)

vi.

to use the keyboard of a typewriter

typable

adj.

typeable