Definition

1. Noun:

   • A machine for smoothing, glazing, or finishing materials: A "calender" is a machine that presses paper, cloth, or other materials between rollers or plates to make them smooth, glossy, or thin.

2. Verb:

   • To process using a calender: To "calender" means to press a material, such as paper or fabric, through a calender machine to achieve a smooth, glossy, or uniformly thin surface.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The paper mill uses a large calender to give the paper its glossy finish.
  • The new calender in the textile factory produces a very smooth fabric.

• Verb:

  • This special paper is calendered to create a perfect surface for printing.
  • The fabric must be calendered to achieve the desired sheen.

Advanced Usage

• Technical Process: The term is primarily used in industrial and manufacturing contexts, such as papermaking, textile production, and plastics manufacturing.
  • The calendering process is crucial for producing high-quality photographic paper.

Variants and Related Words

• Calendering (n): The process or operation of using a calender.
  • Calendering improves the paper's printability.
• Calendered (adj): Describing a material that has been processed through a calender.
  • Calendered paper is often used for high-end magazines.

Synonyms

• Smoother (n): A device or machine that makes something smooth.
• Glazer (n): A machine that applies a glossy finish.
• Press (v): To apply pressure, especially to flatten or smooth.

Notes on Meaning

• Not to be confused with "calendar": The word "calender" is a homophone of "calendar" (a system for organizing days). They are completely different words with different spellings and meanings. "Calender" is specifically a technical term for a machine or process.

Noun

1. a machine that smooths or glazes paper or cloth by pressing it between plates or passing it through rollers

Verb

1. press between rollers or plates so as to smooth, glaze, or thin into sheets
   • calender paper