decalcomania

noun

de·​cal·​co·​ma·​nia di-ˌkal-kə-ˈmā-nē-ə How to pronounce decalcomania (audio)
1
: the art or process of transferring pictures and designs from specially prepared paper (as to glass)
2
: decal

Examples of decalcomania in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web To bring her surrealist works to life, British artist Ithell Colquhoun employed techniques ranging from fumage to decalcomania, entopic graphomania and parsemage. Meilan Solly, Smithsonian, 17 July 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'decalcomania.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French décalcomanie, from décalquer "to trace, transfer by tracing" (from dé- de- + calquer "to trace, copy") + -o- -o- + -manie -mania, after potichomanie "the art of imitating painted porcelain ware," earlier presumably "craze for vases imitating Chinese porcelain," compound with potiche "rounded or polygonal vase with a separate cover, originally one made in China" — more at calque

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of decalcomania was in 1864

Dictionary Entries Near decalcomania

Cite this Entry

“Decalcomania.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decalcomania. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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