Is 'flong' used in modern English?

No, it is an obsolete technical term from historical printing technology.

Can 'flong' be used as a verb?

No, it is only attested as a noun.

What material was a flong typically made from?

It was typically made from layers of damp paper or papier-mâché.

Why is this word included in dictionaries if it's obsolete?

It is preserved in historical and specialised dictionaries to aid in understanding old technical texts about printing.

Is “flong” formal?

Flong is usually technical/historical in register.

How do you pronounce “flong”?

Flong: in British English it is pronounced /flɒŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /flɔːŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

flong: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Very low

UK/flɒŋ/US/flɔːŋ/

Technical/Historical

My Flashcards

Quick answer

What does “flong” mean?

A sheet of material (typically papier-mâché or a similar composition) used in stereotyping to make a mould from which printing plates are cast.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

A sheet of material (typically papier-mâché or a similar composition) used in stereotyping to make a mould from which printing plates are cast.

In historical printing, the damp paper or cardboard sheet that receives an impression from type and is then used to create a metal printing plate via stereotyping.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant differences in meaning or usage; the term was used identically in both printing traditions.

Connotations

Purely technical with historical overtones.

Frequency

Extremely rare in both varieties, encountered only in historical texts about printing.

Grammar

How to Use “flong” in a Sentence

to make a flong from [type/form]to impress [type] onto the flongthe flong is used for [casting plates]

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

damp flongstereotype flongprinting flongmake a flong

medium

impress the flongdry the flongpapier-mâché flong

weak

old flongsheet of flongused flong

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Not used.

Academic

Only in historical studies of printing technology.

Everyday

Not used.

Technical

Historical term in printing and typography.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “flong”

Strong

papier-mâché mould (in printing)

Neutral

mould matrixstereotype mould

Weak

impression sheetcasting form

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “flong”

direct platephotopolymer platedigital plate

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “flong”

Using it as a verb (e.g., 'to flong something').
Assuming it is a modern term.
Confusing it with 'flange'.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: No, it is an obsolete technical term from historical printing technology.
: No, it is only attested as a noun.
: It was typically made from layers of damp paper or papier-mâché.
: It is preserved in historical and specialised dictionaries to aid in understanding old technical texts about printing.
: A sheet of material (typically papier-mâché or a similar composition) used in stereotyping to make a mould from which printing plates are cast.
: Flong is usually technical/historical in register.
: Flong: in British English it is pronounced /flɒŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /flɔːŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“None”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of 'flong' as the thing you 'fling' (press) type onto to make a long-lasting mould (flong sounds like 'flung' + 'long').

Conceptual Metaphor

A FLONG IS A NEGATIVE IMPRESSION (It receives and holds the form from which a positive copy is made).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

In historical stereotyping, a damp was used to make a mould from set type.

Multiple Choice

What is a 'flong' primarily associated with?