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lithograph

/ˈlɪθ.ə.ɡrɑːf/
IELTSAcademic
noun

A picture or page printed from a stone or metal plate. Lithographs are often made as art prints.

  • She bought a signed lithograph.
  • The museum displayed old lithographs.
verb

To make or print something by this method.

  • The artist lithographed the image in black ink.
  • They lithographed the poster for the exhibit.

Adinary Nuance

A lithograph is not just any print. It specifically comes from a lithography process, traditionally using stone, while a print can be made in many ways. In art sales, people often say lithograph to show the image came from that special process.

In other languages

Vietnamese
bản in thạch bản
Spanish
litografía
Chinese
石版画
Japanese
石版画
Korean
석판화

Etymology

From French lithographie, from Greek lithos meaning 'stone' and graphein meaning 'write'. The word entered English in the early 1800s with the printing method.

Common phrases

signed lithographlimited-edition lithographlithograph print

Synonyms

Related words

Frequently asked questions

Is a lithograph a painting or a print?
It is a print, not a painting. It is made from a printing process.
What is the difference between a lithograph and a print?
A lithograph is one kind of print. The word print is broader.
Is lithograph used in art writing?
Yes, it is common in art, galleries, and auctions.