stampata

Stampata is the feminine form of the Italian adjective stampato and is also used as a noun in certain bibliographic and publishing contexts. It denotes material that has been produced by printing, as opposed to handwritten or manuscript copies. In practice, stampata typically refers to a printed edition or printed copy of a work, rather than its manuscript version.

Etymology and meaning: Stampata derives from stampare, Italian for “to print,” itself rooted in the sense of pressing or stamping. Over time, the term came to designate the physical, printed form of a text and, in catalogs and bibliographies, to distinguish printed editions from other formats.

Usage: In library catalogs, scholarly references, and bibliographic notes, stampata is used to indicate the format of a text. Phrases such as la stampata di un libro or edizione stampata specify the printed edition, often to differentiate it from a manuscript, a typescript, or a facsimile. The more common contemporary expression is edizione stampata, with stampata appearing in more formal or archival descriptions.

Range and limitations: The term is primarily found in formal, bibliographic, or archival language. In everyday speech, speakers usually use edizione stampata or simply stampato to convey the same idea.

See also: Edizione stampata, Edizione manoscritta, Bibliography, Cataloging.