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.

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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

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Etymology

Origin of composing stick

First recorded in 1670–80

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

composing stick

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

From Time Magazine Archive

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 Edward Pollock Anshutz

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 John Thomson Faris

To see in your dreams a composing stick, foretells that difficult problems will disclose themselves, and you will be at great trouble to meet them.

From Ten Thousand Dreams Interpreted, or what's in a dream: a scientific and practical exposition by Gustavus Hindman Miller

He asked the young man a few questions, put a composing stick into his hands, and professed himself satisfied with his work.

From Benjamin Franklin A Picture of the Struggles of Our Infant Nation One Hundred Years Ago American Pioneers and Patriots Series by John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot) Abbott

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