[ad. F. stéréotomie, f. Gr. στερεό-ς solid + -τομία: see -TOMY.] The science or art of cutting, or making sections of, solids; that department of geometry that deals with sections of solid figures; the art of cutting stone or other solid bodies into measured forms, as in masonry.
1728. Chambers, Cycl.
1801. J. Jones, trans. Bugge’s Trav. Fr. Rep., v. 101. Stereotomy,… in the scientific language of the Polytechnic School, signifies that part of stone-cutting, on which Frezier and De la Rue have written so much. The theory and rules of projection are first studied.
1843. Blackw. Mag., LIII. 618. A division of the cube, or, as he [De Lisle] called it, the stereotomy of the cube.
1843. Civil Engin. & Arch. Jrnl., VI. 99/1. His stereotomy, profile, proportion, and composition are admirable.
1903. Nature, 12 March, 439/1. Stereotomy. By A. W. French … and H. C. Ives…. This is another text-book for the student in civil engineering, and treats of masonry work.
Hence Stereotomic, -ical adjs., pertaining to stereotomy; Stereotomist, one skilled in stereotomy.
1828. Webster, Stereotomical.
1860. Worcester, Stereotomic.
1893. Mrs. Schuyler Van Rensselaer, Handbk. Eng. Cathedrals, 32 (Cent Suppl.). Their [French] Gothic architects were wonderfully skilful stereotomists.
