lithography

[ li-thog-ruh-fee ]

noun

1. the art or process of producing a picture, writing, or the like, on a flat, specially prepared stone, with some greasy or oily substance, and of taking ink impressions from this as in ordinary printing.
2. a similar process in which a substance other than stone, as aluminum or zinc, is used. Compare offset ( def 6 ).

lithography

/ lɪˈθɒɡrəfɪ /

noun

1. a method of printing from a metal or stone surface on which the printing areas are not raised but made ink-receptive while the non-image areas are made ink-repellent

Derived Forms

• liˈthographer, noun

Other Words From

• lith·o·graph·ic [lith-, uh, -, graf, -ik], litho·graphi·cal adjective
• litho·graphi·cal·ly adverb
• unlith·o·graphic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lithography¹

From the New Latin word lithographia, dating back to 1700–10. See litho-, -graphy

Word History and Origins

Origin of lithography¹

C18: from New Latin lithographia, from litho- + -graphy

Example Sentences

Over decades, engineers in chip fabrication had mastered the art of lithography.

From MIT Technology Review

“It’s a very difficult technology—in terms of complexity it’s probably in the Manhattan Project category,” says Sam Sivakumar, Intel’s director of lithography.

From MIT Technology Review

The showstopper is a problem with one of the lithography machines, which set the pace of the whole operation.

From Time

Each step down in process size—and increase in performance—requires the fab to be retooled with the latest generation of lithography machines to “print” the chips, along with the fleet of equipment that rings them.

From Time

Ohio Art sold off its toys, sharply cut its staff, and focused on metal lithography.

From MIT Technology Review

Beautifully illustrated throughout, with colored frontispiece done in lithography.

From Project Gutenberg

Some artists experimented, but lithography did not pay while the anecdote in paint fetched a fortune.

From Project Gutenberg

Lithography, appropriated by commerce, was almost forgotten as a means of artistic expression.

From Project Gutenberg

And since then no incautious British artists or critics have dared to tamper with Senefelder's definition of lithography.

From Project Gutenberg

The colored plates are reproduced in the highest style of chromo-lithography from Mr. Thorburn's elaborate drawings.

From Project Gutenberg