Main Entry: ²stereotype

Function: noun

Etymology: French stéréotype, from stéré- stere- + type

Date: 1817

1 : a plate cast from a printing surface
2 : something conforming to a fixed or general pattern; especially : a standardized mental picture that is held in common by members of a group and that represents an oversimplified opinion, prejudiced attitude, or uncritical judgment

— ste·reo·typ·i·cal \ˌster-ē-ə-ˈti-pi-kəl\ also ste·reo·typ·ic \-pik\ adjective

— ste·reo·typ·i·cal·ly \-pi-k(ə-)lē\ adverb