em quad
Definition
- Noun:
- A quad with a square body: In typography, an "em quad" is a unit of space that is square, having equal width and height. Its width is equal to the point size of the typeface being used. It is a fundamental spacing unit in typesetting.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The typesetter inserted an em quad to create a paragraph indentation.
- Historically, since
em quad' is hard to distinguish fromen quad', printers sometimes called it a `mutton quad'.
Advanced Usage
- As a unit of measurement: The em quad is used as a relative measure for spacing, margins, and indents in typography. An "em space" or "em dash" derives its name from this unit.
- The designer specified a one-em quad indent for the block quotes.
Variants and Related Words
- Em (n): The unit of measurement equal to the currently specified point size. An "em quad" is a space one em wide.
- En quad (n): A unit of space half the width of an em quad.
- Mutton quad (n): An informal, historical synonym for "em quad," used to avoid confusion with the "en quad" (which was sometimes called a "nut").
- Em space (n): A space character with a width of one em.
Synonyms
- Mutton quad (n, historical/printing jargon)
- Em space (n, in digital typography)
Notes on Meaning
- The term is highly specialized to the field of typography and printing. Its primary meaning is the specific square space unit. The historical synonym "mutton quad" highlights the practical challenges printers faced in distinguishing spoken commands for "em" and "en" quads.
Noun
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a quad with a square body
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since `em quad' is hard to distinguish from `en quad', printers sometimes called it a `mutton quad'
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