copperplate

English

Etymology

From copper +‎ plate. For the plate used for engraving: in the 1660s. As a term for the printed product: from 1817. Of the especially clear writing used in such prints: from the 1820s. Use as a verb (the past participle copperplated) is from 1822.

Noun

copperplate (countable and uncountable, plural copperplates)

1. A copper plate, either etched or engraved, to make a recessed pattern.
2. A print made from such a plate.
3. A style of handwriting based on that used on such prints; English round hand.
   • 1999. Stardust, Neil Gaiman, page 36 (2001 Perennial paperback edition).

     The village school was a fine school […] He learned his reading and had a fair copperplate hand.

Verb

copperplate (third-person singular simple present copperplates, present participle copperplating, simple past and past participle copperplated)

1. To engrave on and print from a copperplate.