a number of things or persons sharing a particular characteristic, or set of characteristics, that causes them to be regarded as a group, more or less precisely defined or designated; class; category: a criminal of the most vicious type.
a thing or person regarded as a member of a class or category; kind; sort (usually followed by of): This is some type of mushroom.
Informal. a person, regarded as reflecting or typifying a certain line of work, environment, etc.: a couple of civil service types.
a thing or person that represents perfectly or in the best way a class or category; model: the very type of a headmaster.
Printing.
a rectangular piece or block, now usually of metal, having on its upper surface a letter or character in relief.
such pieces or blocks collectively.
a similar piece in a typewriter or the like.
such pieces collectively.
a printed character or printed characters: a headline in large type.
face (defs. 21b, c).
Biology.
a genus or species that most nearly exemplifies the essential characteristics of a higher group.
the one or more specimens on which the description and naming of a species is based.
Agriculture.
the inherited features of an animal or breed that are favorable for any given purpose: dairy type.
a strain, breed, or variety of animal, or a single animal, belonging to a specific kind.
Logic, Linguistics.Also called type-word. the general form of a word, expression, symbol, or the like in contrast to its particular instances: The type “and” in “red and white and blue” has two separate tokens.Compare token (def. 8).
the pattern or model from which something is made.
an image or figure produced by impressing or stamping, as the principal figure or device on either side of a coin or medal.
a distinctive or characteristic mark or sign.
a symbol of something in the future, as an Old Testament event serving as a prefiguration of a New Testament event.
Medicine/Medical. blood group.
verb (used with object),typed,typ·ing.
to write on a typewriter or keyboard; typewrite or keyboard.
to reproduce in type or in print.
Medicine/Medical. to ascertain the type of (a blood or tissue sample).
to typecast.
to be a type or symbol of; typify; symbolize; represent.
to represent prophetically; foreshadow; prefigure.
verb (used without object),typed,typ·ing.
to typewrite or keyboard.
Origin of type
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English: “symbol, figure” (from Middle French ), from Latin typus “bas-relief, ground plan,” from Greek týpos “blow, impression”
SYNONYMS FOR type
1 sort, classification, form, stamp.
2 sample, example.
SEE SYNONYMS FOR type ON THESAURUS.COM
usage note for type
2. When preceded by a modifier, type meaning “kind, sort” is sometimes used without a following of: This type furnace uses very little current. In writing, a hyphen is often placed between type and the preceding word or words: a magnetic-type holder; a New England-type corn pudding. This construction is frequently criticized by usage guides; it is most typical of journalistic writing and advertising and occurs rarely in formal speech or writing. In almost all cases the construction can be rendered fully standard either by restoring of after type, with no hyphen ( this type of furnace; a New England type of corn pudding ) or by omitting type altogether ( a magnetic holder).
OTHER WORDS FROM type
mis·type,verb,mis·typed,mis·typ·ing.mis·typed,adjectivepre·type,verb (used with object),pre·typed,pre·typ·ing.re·type,verb (used with object),re·typed,re·typ·ing.
un·typed,adjectivewell-typed,adjective
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH type
kind, sort, type (see usage note at the current entry)
Definition for type (2 of 2)
-type
a suffix representing type (prototype), especially in names of photographic processes: ferrotype.
a kind, class, or category, the constituents of which share similar characteristics
a subdivision of a particular class of things or people; sortwhat type of shampoo do you use?
the general form, plan, or design distinguishing a particular group
informala person who typifies a particular qualityhe's the administrative type
informala person, esp of a specified kindhe's a strange type
a small block of metal or more rarely wood bearing a letter or character in relief for use in printing
such pieces collectively
characters printed from type; print
biology
the taxonomic group the characteristics of which are used for defining the next highest group, for example Rattus norvegicus (brown rat) is the type species of the rat genus Rattus
(as modifier)a type genus; a type species
See type specimen
the characteristic device on a coin
linguisticsa symbol regarded as standing for the class of all symbols identical to itCompare token (def. 8)
logica class of expressions or of the entities they represent that can all enter into the same syntactic relations. The theory of types was advanced by Bertrand Russell to avoid the liar paradox, Russell's paradox, etc
philosophya universal. If a sentence always has the same meaning whenever it is used, the meaning is said to be a property of the sentence-typeCompare token (def. 9)
mainlyChristian theola figure, episode, or symbolic factor resembling some future reality in such a way as to foreshadow or prefigure it
rarea distinctive sign or mark
verb
to write (copy) on a typewriter
(tr)to be a symbol of; typify
(tr)to decide the type of; clarify into a type
(tr)medto determine the blood group of (a blood sample)
(tr)mainlyChristian theolto foreshadow or serve as a symbol of (some future reality)
Word Origin for type
C15: from Latin typus figure, from Greek tupos image, from tuptein to strike
British Dictionary definitions for type (2 of 2)
-type
noun, combining form
type or formarchetype
printing type or photographic processcollotype
Word Origin for -type
from Latin -typus, from Greek -typos, from tupostype
A number of people or things having in common traits or characteristics that distinguish them as a group or class.
The general character or structure held in common by a number of people or things considered as a group or class.
A person or thing having the features of a group or class.
An example or a model having the ideal features of a group or class.
A taxonomic group, especially a genus or species, chosen as the representative example in characterizing the larger taxonomic group to which it belongs.
The specimen on which the original description and naming of a taxon is based.
v.
To determine the antigenic characteristics of a blood or tissue sample.