composing stick

American  

noun

Printing.

1. a portable, adjustable, usually metal tray that the compositor holds in one hand while placing in it type gathered with the other hand.

---

composing stick British  

noun

1. printing a metal holder of adjustable width in which a compositor sets a line of type at a time by hand; now rarely used

---

Etymology

Origin of composing stick

First recorded in 1670–80

Example Sentences

To the frontier editor, a pistol was as crucial as a composing stick.

From Time Magazine Archive

He did work till midnight; then—in spite of the threat that he would be discharged—he laid down his composing stick on the case.

From The Book of Courage by Faris, John Thomson

One contained a small composing stone, a cleaning brush, a composing stick, a pair of narrow-pointed pliers, a mallet and planer.

From The Adventures of Bobby Orde by Brehm, Worth

Keimer asked Benjamin a few questions, put a composing stick in his hands to test his competency, and declared that he would employ him soon though he had just then nothing for him to do.

From Benjamin Franklin; Self-Revealed, Volume II (of 2) A Biographical and Critical Study Based Mainly on his own Writings by Bruce, Wiliam Cabell

Now the attacks come when she becomes tired holding her composing stick; at the same time she became very much flurried, so much so that she had to stop work because she was so confused.

From New, Old, and Forgotten Remedies: Papers by Many Writers by Anshutz, Edward Pollock