Templet vs. Template — What's the Difference?

The term templet, often considered archaic, primarily denoted a physical pattern, especially one used in manual tasks such as shaping metal or wood. In contrast, template has a more extensive range of applications, encompassing both physical and digital patterns.

Historically, templet was a term craftsmen might have used to refer to a physical gauge or pattern that assisted them in their tasks. For example, a woodworker could use a wooden templet to trace out a specific design or shape. On the other hand, template over time has become more associated with the idea of a pre-established pattern or format that can be replicated, especially in computing, where it denotes predefined formats for documents, websites, and more.

The distinction between templet and template in modern language usage is more about context and frequency. While templet is seldom used in everyday speech, the term template is commonplace, particularly in the realms of design, software, and business. Anyone working with software like Word or PowerPoint will be familiar with templates – pre-formatted designs that provide a starting point for a document or presentation.

To put it succinctly, while both templet and template imply a kind of pattern, templet is antiquated and primarily pertains to physical models. In contrast, template is widely used today in various contexts, predominantly digital, representing predefined patterns or formats.