tympan

[ tim-puh n ]

/ ˈtɪm pən /

Printing. a padlike device interposed between the platen or its equivalent and the sheet to be printed, in order to soften and equalize the pressure.

Origin of tympan

before 900; Middle English: drum, Old English < Latin tympanum tympanum

tyloma, tylopod, tylor, tylosis, tymbal, tympan, tympan-, tympanal, tympanectomy, tympani, tympani-

While this was being done, the other man was placing the sheet of paper on the "tympan."

The Building of a Book |Various
In the cut at the head of this article, the pressman is represented as in the act of turning down the frisket upon the tympan.

Popular Technology; Volume 2 |Edward Hazen
Nothing remained now but to adjust the guides which would hold the cards on the tympan.

The Adventures of Bobby Orde |Stewart Edward White
These sheets are held in place by means of the iron clamps which slip over the ends of the tympan (see Fig. 160).

The Boy Craftsman |A. Neely Hall

The bed traveled on guide ways, and the tympan and frisket were hinged to fold back and lay in elevated position.

The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century. |Edward W. Byrn

tympan

/ (ˈtɪmpən) /

a membrane stretched over a frame or resonating cylinder, bowl, etc

printing packing interposed on a hand-operated text between the platen and the paper to be printed in order to provide an even impression

architect another name for tympanum (def. 3)

Old English timpana, from Latin; see tympanum