What does microfiche mean?
Microfiche is a type of photographic reproduction of printed pages, reduced to a very small size, typically on a single sheet of film. This method of document reproduction was widely used in the past, particularly in libraries and archives, to store and retrieve large amounts of data. Microfiche contains multiple pages of text or images, miniaturized to fit on a small sheet of film, usually 105mm x 148mm. The use of microfiche allowed for efficient storage and preservation of documents, but has largely been replaced by digital technologies. Despite this, microfiche remains a useful tool for researchers and historians, providing access to valuable information from the past.
nounA type of photographic reproduction of printed pages, reduced to a very small size, typically on a single sheet of film.
- A small sheet of film containing photographic reproductions of pages.
- A method of document reproduction using microfiche.
"The library's archives included a collection of microfiche documents from the 19th century."
"The researcher spent hours poring over microfiche documents in the library's archives."
"The company used microfiche to store and retrieve large amounts of data."
Countable, used to refer to multiple sheets of microfiche.
"The researcher ordered several microfiches from the archive to review."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of microfiche
The term 'microfiche' originated in the mid-20th century, derived from the words 'micro' and 'fiche', a French word meaning 'slip of paper'. The technology of microfiche is closely related to microfilm, which was developed earlier in the 20th century. Microfiche was widely used for document reproduction and storage, particularly in libraries and archives.
How microfiche is actually used
Formal or technical contexts, often used in libraries, archives, and research settings.