Emily Dickinson Lexicon

STE'RE-O-TYPE, n. [Gr. στερεος, fixed, and τυπος, type, form.]

1. Literally, a fixed metal type; hence, a plate of fixed solid metallic types for printing books. Thus, we say, a book is printed on stereotype, or in stereotype. In the latter use, the word seems rather to signify the workmanship or manner of printing, than the plate.
2. The art of making plates of fixed metallic types, or of executing work on such plates.