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Dictionary Language resources

decalcomania

Pronunciation: /dɪˌkalkə(ʊ)ˈmeɪnɪə/

Definition of decalcomania

noun

[mass noun]

the process of transferring designs from prepared paper on to glass or porcelain.
a technique used by some surrealist artists which involves pressing paint between sheets of paper.

Origin:

mid 19th century: from French décalcomanie, from décalquer 'transfer a tracing' + -manie '-mania' (with reference to the enthusiasm for the process in the 1860s)