Agate (unit of measure)
Encyclopedia
An agate is a unit
of typographical measure. It is 5.5 typographical points, or about 1/14 of an inch. It can refer to either the height of a line of type or a font
that is 5.5 points. An agate font was commonly used to display statistical data or legal notices in newspapers. It is considered the smallest point size that can be printed on newsprint
and remain legible.
Due to the small size of Agate (a typical newspaper body text may be 8 to 10 points), and its use for statistical, stock, racing or other table uses, the term Agate may also refer to tables and texts using this point size. In fact, the general description 'Agate' refers to the collection of miscellaneous tables, stock tables, horse racing
and sports tables and so forth that may be in a newspaper.
From the American Dictionary of Printing and Bookmaking (1894):
Unit of measure
Unit of measure may refer to:* Units of measurement for relevance to weights and measures* Unit of account for relevance in economics* Unit of Measure , a 2000 album by Tony Rice...
of typographical measure. It is 5.5 typographical points, or about 1/14 of an inch. It can refer to either the height of a line of type or a font
Font
In typography, a font is traditionally defined as a quantity of sorts composing a complete character set of a single size and style of a particular typeface...
that is 5.5 points. An agate font was commonly used to display statistical data or legal notices in newspapers. It is considered the smallest point size that can be printed on newsprint
Newsprint
Newsprint is a low-cost, non-archival paper most commonly used to print newspapers, and other publications and advertising material. It usually has an off-white cast and distinctive feel. It is designed for use in printing presses that employ a long web of paper rather than individual sheets of...
and remain legible.
Due to the small size of Agate (a typical newspaper body text may be 8 to 10 points), and its use for statistical, stock, racing or other table uses, the term Agate may also refer to tables and texts using this point size. In fact, the general description 'Agate' refers to the collection of miscellaneous tables, stock tables, horse racing
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
and sports tables and so forth that may be in a newspaper.
From the American Dictionary of Printing and Bookmaking (1894):