Wa"ter*mark` (?), n. 1.
A mark indicating the height to which water has risen, or at which it
has stood; the usual limit of high or low water.
2. A letter, device, or the like, wrought into
paper during the process of manufacture.
&fist; "The watermark in paper is produced by bending the wires of the
mold, or by wires bent into the shape of the required letter or device, and
sewed to the surface of the mold; -- it has the effect of making the paper
thinner in places. The old makers employed watermarks of an
eccentric kind. Those of Caxton and other early printers were an oxhead and
star, a collared dog's head, a crown, a shield, a jug, etc. A fool's cap
and bells, employed as a watermark, gave the name to foolscap paper;
a postman's horn, such as was formerly in use, gave the name to post
paper." Tomlinson.
3. (Naut.) See Water line, 2.
[R.]
Wa"ter*mark` (?), n. 1.
A mark indicating the height to which water has risen, or at which it
has stood; the usual limit of high or low water.
2. A letter, device, or the like, wrought into
paper during the process of manufacture.
&fist; "The watermark in paper is produced by bending the wires of the
mold, or by wires bent into the shape of the required letter or device, and
sewed to the surface of the mold; -- it has the effect of making the paper
thinner in places. The old makers employed watermarks of an
eccentric kind. Those of Caxton and other early printers were an oxhead and
star, a collared dog's head, a crown, a shield, a jug, etc. A fool's cap
and bells, employed as a watermark, gave the name to foolscap paper;
a postman's horn, such as was formerly in use, gave the name to post
paper." Tomlinson.
3. (Naut.) See Water line, 2.
[R.]
