em quad
From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Etymology
Attested in 1841.[1] From 1808 em quadrat,[2] from 1683 m quadrat, from m + quadrat, a metal type, which is as wide as the point size of the font. The origin of the letter m is unclear; perhaps because the type body of the letter M was approximately square during the early days of typesetting, and to contrast it with the n quadrat, the letter n being approximately half as wide.
Noun
- (typography) A quad which has a fixed width of 1 em.
Usage notes
The em quad and the em space are usually synonymous as they both start as a space with a width of 1 em. However, in electronic publishing a few contrast the two by holding that if the font is condensed or expanded to alter the width of the characters, the em quad remains 1 em in width, while the em space is altered in width to the same proportion as the printing characters.
Synonyms
- em quadrat, m quadrat (obsolete)
- mutton quad
- quad
Related terms
References
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