movable type

noun

, Printing.

1. type from which text is printed directly in which each character is on a separate piece of metal.

Word History and Origins

Origin of movable type¹

First recorded in 1760–70

Example Sentences

And a form of movable type appeared in China as early as the 11th century, though it’s unclear whether Gutenberg would have known of it, Fletcher said.

From New York Times

What a book is has certainly changed over time, as clay tablets, papyrus scrolls, parchment and quills have given way to codexes, movable type, mechanized printing processes and e-readers.

From New York Times

In 1623, when the First Folio was printed, every page had to be set up for the press by hand, using tiny metal letters called movable type.

From Literature

The same could all be said of Gutenberg’s movable type.

From Washington Post

He regards Mr. Berners-Lee’s 1989 invention as an innovation as significant as Johannes Gutenberg’s development of movable type in the 15th century.

From New York Times