mimeograph: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare/ArchaicHistorical, Technical
Quick answer
What does “mimeograph” mean?
A manual printing machine that produces copies from a stencil.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A manual printing machine that produces copies from a stencil.
A copy of a document produced by such a machine; the process of making such copies. Often used to refer to pre-photocopier office duplication technology.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both dialects use the term equally. Minor spelling in compounds ('mimeograph' vs 'mimeography') is consistent.
Connotations
Evokes school, office, or church communications from the mid-20th century (e.g., newsletters, worksheets, bulletins).
Frequency
Equally rare and historical in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “mimeograph” in a Sentence
to mimeograph [a document]to run off [copies] on the mimeographVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mimeograph” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The secretary will mimeograph the minutes for the committee.
- We mimeographed fifty copies of the song sheet for the choir.
American English
- She mimeographed the flyers for the bake sale.
- The church mimeographs its weekly bulletin every Thursday.
adverb
British English
- This newsletter was produced mimeographically.
- (Usage extremely rare; typically paraphrased.)
American English
- The document was reproduced mimeographically on purple paper.
- (Usage extremely rare; typically paraphrased.)
adjective
British English
- The mimeograph ink had a distinctive, sweet smell.
- We found a box of mimeograph stencils in the attic.
American English
- He saved a faded, mimeograph copy of the 1965 memo.
- The mimeograph machine was relegated to the basement storage.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used in modern business. Historical texts might mention 'mimeographing the quarterly report'.
Academic
Used in historical or media studies discussing pre-digital communication.
Everyday
Used only by older generations recalling the past. 'Our teacher used to mimeograph worksheets.'
Technical
Used in discussions of printing history, office technology evolution, or archival conservation of such documents.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mimeograph”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mimeograph”
- Misspelling as 'mimiograph' or 'mimeograph'.
- Confusing it with a 'photocopier' or 'ditto machine' (which used a different process).
- Using it as a verb for any copying ('I'll mimeograph this' for 'I'll photocopy this').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A mimeograph uses ink pushed through a stencil. A ditto machine (or spirit duplicator) uses a master with a wax-like coating; alcohol dissolves dye from the master to create copies, often in purple ink.
It was widely used from the late 19th century through the mid-to-late 20th century, peaking in the 1950s-1960s before being superseded by photocopiers (Xerox).
New machines are not manufactured. They can sometimes be found as vintage/antique items, but supplies like stencils and specific inks are very difficult to obtain.
The distinctive purple came from aniline dye in the ink. The smell was from the volatile organic solvents (like methanol) in the ink and the fluid used in the process.
A manual printing machine that produces copies from a stencil.
Mimeograph is usually historical, technical in register.
Mimeograph: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɪm.i.ə.ɡrɑːf/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɪm.i.ə.ɡræf/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[As] faded as an old mimeograph”
- “The mimeograph era”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'MIME-O-GRAPH': A MIME (performer) copies movements; this machine copies GRAPHics (text/images) through a stencil.
Conceptual Metaphor
TECHNOLOGY IS A LIFECYCLE (Obsolete technology as a historical artifact).
Practice
Quiz
What was the primary method used by a mimeograph machine to create copies?