What does interliner mean?
An interliner is a person or machine that draws or inserts lines between the lines of text. Its principal historical use was in printing and book production, where guide lines could be added after type had been arranged. Such lines helped readers keep their place or provided space for handwritten notes. The word also referred to the worker who operated the relevant machine. Although once a practical term associated with the printing trade, interliner is now uncommon outside historical or specialist contexts. It should not be confused with interlinear, which is normally an adjective describing writing or text positioned between lines. The compound formation inter- plus line makes the basic meaning transparent: something associated with lines between other lines.
nounA person or device that inserts or draws lines between the lines of text, especially in printing or book production.
- A device used to draw or insert lines between the lines of text in a printed or typeset work.
- A person whose work is to perform this task.
"The printer used an interliner to add guide lines between the lines of type."
"After the type had been set, the interliner drew fine guide lines across the page."
"Her grandfather learned to operate an interliner at the local printing works."
Used when referring to multiple devices or workers of this kind; the plural is uncommon because the term itself is chiefly historical.
"Several interliners were used in the workshop to rule different page sizes."
Before ruled writing paper became commonplace, interliners helped printers place guiding lines neatly between lines of type.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of interliner
Interliner was formed in English from the combining form inter-, meaning “between,” the noun line, and the suffix -er, denoting a person or device that performs a specified action. Its relatives interline and interlinear reflect the same combination of Latin inter- with English line, itself a Romance borrowing ultimately associated with Latin linea. The formation therefore literally identifies a person or thing that works between lines.
Related word forms
How interliner is actually used
The term is now chiefly historical and is most likely to occur in discussions of printing, typesetting, book production, or older industrial trades.
Easily confused with interliner
An interliner is a person or device that places lines between text, whereas interlinear describes text or writing arranged between lines.