black letter
Definition
- Noun:
- A style of typeface: A heavy, ornate, and formal style of type, characterized by thick strokes and sharp angles, historically used in Western Europe from approximately the 15th to the 18th centuries. It is also commonly known as Gothic script or Old English.
Usage
- The term "black letter" is used primarily in historical, typographical, and academic contexts to describe a specific category of type design and handwriting.
- It refers to the physical appearance of the letters in printed works or manuscripts from that era.
Examples
- Noun:
- The Gutenberg Bible was printed using a black letter typeface.
- Early English legal documents were often written in black letter.
- The university's diploma was designed with a traditional black letter font.
Advanced Usage
- "Black-letter law": This is a common idiomatic phrase derived from the term. It refers to well-established, fundamental legal principles or rules that are certain and no longer subject to dispute. The phrase evokes the idea of law so settled it could be printed in formal, authoritative black-letter type.
- The principle that a contract requires an offer and acceptance is considered black-letter law.
Variants and Related Words
- Gothic script: A synonym for black letter, especially when referring to its calligraphic form.
- Textura: A specific, very dense and formal style of black letter.
- Fraktur: A later, German style of black letter typeface.
- Old English: A common modern name for black letter typefaces, though this is a historical misnomer as the style post-dates the Old English language period.
Synonyms
- Gothic type
- Gothic script
- Old English (in modern typography)
Related Phrases
- Black-letter law: (Idiom) Settled, fundamental legal doctrine.
Noun
-
a heavy typeface in use from 15th to 18th centuries
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