Printing. [Cf. MHG., Ger. tulle (LG. dulle, Du. dille) a socket in which something is fixed, or through which a rod or spindle passes.] In the early forms of hand printing-presses, a horizontal cross-piece extending between and fixed to the two main uprights, through which passes the hose or sleeve, and the shank of the spindle; also called shelf.
1611. Cotgr., Planche,… the Till of a Printers Presse, or the shelfe that compasseth the Hose.
1683. Moxon, Mech. Exerc., Printing, x. ¶ 6. The Till is a Board about one Inch thick…. In its middle it hath a round Hole … for the Shank of the Spindle to pass through.
1771. Luckombe, Hist. Print., 366. It may … be botched up by putting scabbord between the Hose and the square holes of the Till.
1841. Savage, Dict. Printing, 796. Till or Shelf, a mahogany shelf that clasps the hose and causes it and the spindle to come down perpendicularly without any play.
