Blueprint paper is a type of paper that is used for creating technical drawings or blueprints. It is a unique type of paper that has a light-sensitive coating, which allows it to be exposed to light and produce a blueprint of the original drawing. In this article, we will explore the definition, origin, meaning, associations, synonyms, antonyms, and example sentences of blueprint paper.
Definitions
Blueprint paper is a type of paper that has a light-sensitive coating on one side. When exposed to light, the coating reacts and creates a copy of the original drawing. Blueprint paper is commonly used in the fields of architecture, engineering, and construction.
Origin
The blueprint paper was first introduced in the mid-19th century as a way to reproduce technical drawings. The process involved coating paper with a solution of potassium ferricyanide and ammonium ferric citrate. The paper was then exposed to light through a negative of the original drawing, and the resulting image was developed with water. The process was known as the cyanotype process, and it was widely used until the 20th century when more advanced reproduction methods were developed.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, blueprint paper is defined as “a paper that is coated with a light-sensitive substance and used for making blueprints.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “a type of paper that is coated with a light-sensitive solution and used for producing blueprints of technical drawings.”
Associations
Blueprint paper is often associated with technical drawings and blueprints used in the fields of architecture, engineering, and construction. It is also associated with the cyanotype process, which was used to produce blueprints before the advent of modern reproduction methods.
Synonyms
Synonyms of blueprint paper include technical drawing paper, drafting paper, and engineering paper.
Antonyms
There are no direct antonyms of blueprint paper, but alternatives to blueprint paper include digital reproduction methods and other types of paper used for technical drawings.
The same root words
The root words of blueprint paper are “blue” and “print.” Blue refers to the color of the image produced by the cyanotype process, while print refers to the reproduction of the original drawing.
Example Sentences
- The architect used blueprint paper to create a detailed drawing of the building’s floor plan.
- The engineer used drafting paper to sketch out the design for the new bridge.
- The construction workers used technical drawing paper to follow the blueprint of the building’s structure.