decalcomania

[ dih-kal-kuh-mey-nee-uh, -meyn-yuh ]

noun

1. the art or process of transferring pictures or designs from specially prepared paper to wood, metal, glass, etc.
2. decal ( defs 1, 2 ).

decalcomania

/ dɪˌkælkəˈmeɪnɪə /

noun

1. the art or process of transferring a design from prepared paper onto another surface, such as china, glass or paper
2. a design so transferred

Word History and Origins

Origin of decalcomania¹

1860–65; < French décalcomanie, equivalent to décalc- (representing décalquer to transfer a tracing of, equivalent to dé- de- + calquer to trace) + -o- -o- + -manie -mania

Word History and Origins

Origin of decalcomania¹

C19: from French décalcomanie, from décalquer to transfer by tracing, from dé- de- + calquer to trace + -manie -mania

Example Sentences

"I'd have to go home first and get my decalcomania book," Jimmy stipulated.

From Project Gutenberg

The hat with movement is like a free-hand sketch, a hat without movement like a decalcomania.

From Project Gutenberg

I remember once decorating a card for Mother with some decalcomania pictures.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• emblem