What does the literary term stereotype mean?

Stereotype is a process, now often replaced by more advanced methods, for making metal printing plates by taking a mold of composed type or the like in paper mache or other material and then taking from this mold a cast in type metal. 2.a plate made by this process. 3.a set form; convention.

4. Sociology . a simplified and standardized conception or image invested with special meaning and held in common by members of a group: The cowboy and Indian are American stereotypes.

Verb (used with object)5.to make a stereotype of.6.to characterize or regard as a stereotype: The actor has been stereotyped as a villain.7.to give a fixed form to.