Cliche

Cliche (Fr., p.p. of a verb clicher, connected with cliquer, and carrying the idea of clapping down or fixing) is used as a substantive to denote in electrotype or stereotype the solid impression first taken from the movable type, and forming the matrix of the final stereotype. In French the word cliche denotes also the negative of a photograph. The word also denotes the impression taken of a coin or medal in order to judge of the appearance and progress of the work.