pica
/'paikə/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A unit of measurement in printing: A pica is a typographic unit of measure equal to 1/6 of an inch or approximately 4.23 millimeters, commonly used for measuring lines of type and column widths.
- An eating disorder: Pica is a medical condition characterized by the persistent eating of non-nutritive, non-food substances over a period of at least one month, inappropriate to the developmental level of the individual.
Examples of Usage
Noun (Printing Unit):
- The column width was set to 30 picas.
- In traditional typesetting, 12 points equal one pica.
Noun (Eating Disorder):
- The child was diagnosed with pica after persistently eating clay.
- Pica can involve the consumption of items like paper, soap, hair, or dirt.
Advanced Usage
- "Pica em": In typography, a unit equal to the width of the letter 'M' in a given font size, which is distinct from the standard pica unit.
- The designer specified the margin in pica ems for precise alignment.
Variants and Related Words
- Picaresque (adj): Relating to a style of fiction dealing with the adventures of a dishonest but appealing hero. (Note: This is a distinct word with a different etymology and meaning, not a variant of 'pica').
- Picador (n): A bullfighter on horseback who uses a lance. (Note: This is a distinct word with a different etymology and meaning).
Synonyms
- For the printing unit: Unit, measure.
- For the eating disorder: Allotriophagy (a technical synonym).
Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)
(Not applicable for this noun.)
Related Idioms
(Not applicable for this noun.)
Noun
- magpies
- a linear unit (1/6 inch) used in printing
- an eating disorder, frequent in children, in which non-nutritional objects are eaten persistently