Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun In classical antiquity, a manuscript written, contrary to custom, on the back as well as the front of the roll of papyrus or parchment.
  • noun A slab inscribed on the back as well as the front, the side bearing the original inscription having been turned to the wall, and the other side utilized for a later inscription.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun Any early document (such as a roll of papyrus) that has writing on the back as well as the front
  • noun Any early book that has letterpress printing on both sides of the page

Etymologies

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Examples

  • It was a common practice in Greek and Latin lands to make use of slabs already inscribed, i.e. to take the reverse of a slab containing a heathen inscription for the inscribing of a Christian one; such a slab is called an opisthograph.

    The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 8: Infamy-Lapparent 1840-1916 1913

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