Template

Pronunciation

• Canada IPA: /ˈtÉ›mp.lÉ™t/, /ˈtÉ›mp.leɪt/

Origin

Alteration of templet, probably from French templet, diminutive of temple ("a weaver's stretcher"), from Latin templum ("a small timber, tie-beam, a purlin"), from Proto-Indo-European *temp- ("to pull, stretch"). Alteration of second syllable due to analogy with plate. Cognate with Faroese tamba ("to stretch out, relax"), Icelandic þamb ("a stretched, bloated, or extended belly").

Full definition of template

Noun

1. A physical object whose shape is used as a guide to make other objects.
2. A generic model or pattern from which other objects are based or derived.
3. (molecular biology) A macromolecule which provides a pattern for the synthesis of another molecule.
• Classically, the functional product of coding genes is a protein whose synthesis is directed by an mRNA-template.

Verb

1. To set up or mark off using a template.
• Only that part of the floor timber that bears on the planking and keel need be templated; ...
2. To provide a template or pattern for.
• Metal phosphates that are templated by transition-metal complexes are rare.

Derived terms

• templater