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Origin and history of type

type(n.)

late 15c., "symbol, emblem, that by which something is symbolized, distinguishing mark or sign," from Latin typus "figure, image, form, kind," from Greek typos "a blow, dent, impression, mark, effect of a blow;" also "figure in relief, image, statue; anything wrought of metal or stone;" and by extension "general form, character; outline, sketch."

This is from the root of typtein "to strike, beat," which is reconstructed to be from a variant of PIE root *(s)teu- (1) "to push, stick, knock, beat," with derivations referring to projecting objects (source also of Latin stupere "be stunned, amazed;" see steep (adj.)).

Type was extended by 1713 to "small, right-angled printing block of metal or wood having for its face a letter or character, usually in high relief, adapted for use in letterpress printing." Hence "printed characters, characters written in imitation of letterpress printing" (1784).

The meaning "particular mode or style that serves as a guide, representative mode or structure" of some kind or class is attested by 1843, though the Latin and Greek words had that notion. In natural history, type as "a species which most perfectly exhibits the essential characteristics of the family or group," is attested by 1837.

Hence the sense of "person of a particular character," (by 1922); to be (someone's) type "be the sort of person that person is attracted to" is recorded by 1934.

also from late 15c.

type(v.)

"write with a typewriter," by 1888; see type (n.), and compare typewrite. Earlier type (v.) meant "typify, be a specimen of" (1620s) and "foreshadow" (1590s), a transferred sense in theology. As short for typecast, by 1933. Related: Typed; typing.

also from 1888

Entries linking to type

steep(adj.)

"precipitous, sheer, having a sharp slope," of cliffs, mountains, etc., Middle English stēpe, from Old English steap "high, lofty" (senses now obsolete), also "deep; prominent, projecting," from Proto-Germanic *staupa- (source also of Old Frisian stap "high, lofty," Middle High German *stouf).

This is held to be from PIE *steup-, an extended form of the root *(s)teu- (1) "to push, stick, knock, beat," with derivations referring to projecting objects (source also of Greek typtein "to strike," typos "a blow, mold, die;" Sanskrit tup- "harm," tundate "pushes, stabs;" Gothic stautan "push;" Old Norse stuttr "short"). But Boutkan is dubious of the wider grouping.

The sense of "precipitous" probably was in Old English. In Middle English also of strong men, loud voices, large bright eyes, and old age. The slang sense of "at a high price" is a U.S. coinage attested by 1848, perhaps 1847. Related: Steeply. The noun meaning "a steep place, a declivity" is from 1550s.

typecast(v.)

also type-cast, with reference to actors, by 1927 (implied in typecasting), from type (n.) in the "general character" sense (perhaps a deliberate pun on the verbal phrase in the printing sense "to found types in molds," attested from 1847). Also see type (n.) + cast (v.).