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

Example Sentences

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

From Time Magazine Archive

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

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 Miller, Gustavus Hindman

Galley—A shallow tray used by compositors to hold type after the lines have been set and transferred from the composing stick.

From Type Cases and Composing-room furniture by Stewart, A. A.

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