What is "polytype"

Polytype \Pol"y*type\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Polytyped; p. pr. & vb. n. Polytyping.] (Print.) To produce a polytype of; as, to polytype an engraving.

Polytype \Pol"y*type\, n. [Poly- + -type: cf. F. polytype, a.] (Print.) A cast, or facsimile copy, of an engraved block, matter in type, etc.; as, a polytype in relief -- Pol"y*type, a.

By pressing the wood cut into semifluid metal, an intaglio matrix is produced: and from this matrix, in a similar way, a polytype in relief is obtained.
--Hansard.

Polytype \Pol"y*type\, a. (Print.) Of or pertaining to polytypes; obtained by polytyping; as, a polytype plate.

n. 1 Any of the types involved in polytypism. 2 A cast, or facsimile copy, of an engraved block, matter in type, etc. vb. (context transitive English) To produce a polytype of.