xylograph

xylograph

A museum curator carefully displays a xylograph from the 18th century.

Definition

Noun: A xylograph is an engraving or print made from a wood block, especially one produced in the early history of printing.

Usage Examples
  • (A print made from a carved wooden block.)
  • (Woodblock prints used in early printed books.)
Advanced Usage
  • "xylograph on vellum": a woodblock print on fine animal skin parchment.

    • The library acquired a xylograph on vellum depicting a medieval scene. (A print from a wood block on high-quality parchment.)
  • "xylograph as a proof": a test print made from a wood block before the final edition.

    • The artist kept a xylograph as a proof of the original carving. (A preliminary woodblock print.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Xylography (n): the art or process of engraving on wood and printing from wood blocks.

    • Xylography was the dominant method of illustration before the invention of metal engraving. (The craft of woodblock printing.)
  • Xylographic (adj): relating to or produced by xylography.

    • The xylographic technique requires careful carving of the wood surface. (Pertaining to woodblock printing.)
Synonyms
  • Woodcut: a print made from a wood block with the design cut into the surface.
  • Wood engraving: a print made from a wood block, often with finer detail than a woodcut.
Related Idioms