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Photostat for Dummies

noun

pronunciation: 'foʊtə,stæt

What does Photostat really mean?

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Photostat is a term that might sound a bit old-fashioned to some, but it refers to a process that was widely used before the invention of modern photocopiers and digital printers. You see, back in the day, if someone needed to make a copy of a document or a photograph, they didn't have all the fancy machines we have now. Instead, they would use a device called a Photostat machine.

Imagine for a moment that you have a really important document that you need to duplicate. You can't just snap your fingers and magically create an identical copy, right? So, what do you do? Well, you would take your original document and place it on a special glass surface inside the Photostat machine. This machine had a bright light underneath the glass, which would shine through your document.

As the light shone through the document, it would hit specially coated paper that was sensitive to light. This paper would react to the light and create what we call a "photostatic print." It's like when you use a flashlight to cast a shadow on a wall - the light creates an image of whatever is blocking it. In this case, the bright light passing through the document would create a copy of it on the coated paper.

It's important to note that "Photostat" can also refer to the actual copy made using this machine. So, if someone says, "I need a Photostat of this document," they mean they want a copy made using the old-fashioned Photostat process. In more general terms, "Photostat" can be used as a verb too, like when someone says, "I'm going to Photostat this picture." They mean they're going to create a copy of the picture using the Photostat machine.

Nowadays, we have modern machines called photocopiers and digital printers that do the same job but in a much easier and faster way. But understanding what "Photostat" means can help us appreciate how technology has evolved and improved over time. It's like comparing a horse-drawn carriage to a modern car - they both get you from point A to point B, but one is much more efficient and convenient compared to the other.

So, the word "Photostat" essentially means making a copy of a document or a photograph using an old-fashioned machine that used light and specially coated paper to recreate the original. It can refer to both the machine itself and the copies made using it.

Revised and Fact checked by Sophia Wilson on 2023-10-29 20:29:29

Photostat In a sentece

Learn how to use Photostat inside a sentece

  • When you want to make a copy of an important paper, you can use a photostat machine that will make an exact duplicate of the original.
  • If you have an old family photograph that you want to share, you can take it to a store and ask them to make a photostat of it so that you can keep the original safe.
  • In a library, sometimes they may not have multiple copies of a book, but they can make a photostat of a specific page or chapter for you to read later.
  • When you finish drawing a picture and want to give a copy to your friend, you can use a photostat machine to make a copy of your drawing.
  • Imagine you have a favorite comic book, and if you want to share a funny page with your sibling, you can use a photostat to make a copy of that page for them to see.

Photostat Synonyms

Words that can be interchanged for the original word in the same context.

Photostat Hypernyms

Words that are more generic than the original word.

Photostat Usage Of

Words that the original word is a domain usage of.