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

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

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

As to Keimer, suspecting from his youthful appearance, that Ben could hardly understand any thing of the printing art, he slyly put a composing stick into his hand.

From The Life of Benjamin Franklin With Many Choice Anecdotes and admirable sayings of this great man never before published by any of his biographers by Weems, Mason Locke

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.