daguerreotype

noun

da·​guerre·​o·​type də-ˈger-ō-ˌtīp How to pronounce daguerreotype (audio)
-ˈger-ə-;
-ˈge-rō-,
-rə-,
 also  də-ˈger-ē-ō-ˌtīp,
-ˈger-ē-
: an early photograph produced on a silver or a silver-covered copper plate
also : the process of producing such photographs
daguerreotype transitive verb
daguerreotypist
də-ˈger-ō-ˌtī-pist How to pronounce daguerreotype (audio)
-ˈger-ə-;
-ˈge-rō-
-rə-
 also  də-ˈger-ē-ō-ˌtī-
-ˈger-ē-
noun
daguerreotypy
də-ˈger-ō-ˌtī-pē How to pronounce daguerreotype (audio)
-ˈger-ə-;
-ˈge-rō-
-rə-
 also  də-ˈger-ē-ō-ˌtī-
-ˈger-ē-
noun

Examples of daguerreotype in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Besides our own sun, Vega was the first star to be photographed, with a 20-minute daguerreotype exposure taken at Harvard College Observatory in 1850. Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Sep. 2024 The daguerreotype was the first widely available photographic process, invented by its namesake, Louis Daguerre, in 1839. Torey Akers, CNN, 9 July 2024 The quarter-plate daguerreotype of former First Lady Dolley Madison, wife of fourth US president James Madison, dates from around 1846. Torey Akers, CNN, 9 July 2024 The French writer Honoré de Balzac confessed to fearing that each time a daguerreotype was taken of him, a layer of his skin would be peeled off. Sohini Desai, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for daguerreotype 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'daguerreotype.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French daguerréotype, from L. J. M. Daguerre + French -o- + type

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of daguerreotype was in 1839

Dictionary Entries Near daguerreotype

Cite this Entry

“Daguerreotype.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/daguerreotype. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

daguerreotype

noun
da·​guerre·​o·​type də-ˈger-(ē-)ō-ˌtīp How to pronounce daguerreotype (audio)
: an early photograph produced on a metal plate
Etymology

named for L. J. M. Daguerre 1789–1851 French painter and inventor

More from Merriam-Webster on daguerreotype

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!