Glossary L
Latin alphabet
The twenty-six letters that are the basis for the alphabets of most of the written languages in the western world. They are typically used in two versions, capital and lowercase. Capital letterforms are derived from classical Roman stone-carved lettering, which was based on earlier Greek and Phoenician lettering. Lowercase letters, ultimately derived from capitals, resulted from an evolution in the handwriting of scribes; the basic lowercase forms were first widely used after an edict by the emperor Charlemagne in C.E. 789 and were later refined by Renaissance scribes in the fifteenth century.
leader
One of a series of evenly spaced dots or dashes repeated in succession, often used to direct the eye across a page. Also, a row of evenly spaced dots or dashes, often combined to form single characters that can be repeated in succession. Traditionally, leaders were used in tables and indexes.
leading
In digital and phototypesetting and desktop publishing, the vertical distance between lines of type measured from the baseline of one line to the baseline of the next, often expressed in points, fractions of points, or millimeters. Also called line spacing and interlinear space (terms that many authors prefer) or linefeed.
Traditionally, leading refers only to additional space inserted between lines of type; many authors retain this distinction. For example, when type is specified as 10/12, this notation is traditionally expressed verbally as 10 point type with 2 points of leading. However, in contemporary usage the same notation is often expressed as 10 point type with 12 points of line spacing or leading. The term leading is derived from metal type, in which compositors inserted strips of lead of varying thicknesses to increase the space between lines of type. See also linespacing.
legibility
A characteristic of type that indicates how recognizable the characters of a typeface are, especially at text sizes. Often measured by the speed with which the reader recognizes characters. See also readability.
letter
A character or symbol used to express a sound; a component of an alphabet used in graphic communication.
letter spacing
In typesetting, the adjustment of space between characters, either uniformly or optically. Also, sometimes refers to the spaces themselves or the fit of the letterforms. A typeface is usually spaced (or fitted) by the type designer or manufacturer so that letters appear to be fairly evenly spaced; however, in typesetting slight adjustments are sometimes desirable to achieve greater legibility and readability or to create special graphic effects, as in display typography.
In digital and phototypesetting, the addition or subtraction of an equal amount of space globally between all characters in a selected portion of text is often called positive or negative tracking, or less commonly, uniform letter spacing or character compensation. Subtraction of space is also called negative letter spacing or white-space reduction. An alternate kind of letter spacing, the addition (or, in desktop-publishing, also subtraction) of aesthetically determined spaces between individual character pairs to create an even overall appearance is called optical letter spacing. Extremely refined optical adjustments to spaces between individual character pairs are possible through the use of kerning programs. Both tracking and kerning values are usually given in small divisions of the em called units or in fractions of a unit; some graphic designers also use points to indicate the amount of space to be added or subtracted, although a disadvantage of the point is that it does not allow the fine distinctions of spacing that are usually necessary.
Positive tracking is typically used for text at small point sizes (such as 4 to 9 points) to increase legibility, also for type that is reversed (in a light color or tone against a darker background), for characters that will be viewed on a computer or television screen, and for any type that will be viewed under adverse conditions that detract from legibility. Traditionally, it is also used with lowercase letters in German (in place of italics) to emphasize words. Negative tracking is often used at large sizes (such as 18 to 24 points and above) and to increase the graphic impact of display lines in advertising. Traditional style rules for English usually discourage use of letter spacing to justify text because it creates an uneven appearance in text and can reduce legibility.
In hand composition with metal type, optical letter spacing was often accomplished through the insertion of small nonprinting pieces of lead or copper (or sometimes paper) between individual pieces of type; usually only capitals and small capitals were treated in this manner. In machine composition with metal type, it was often impossible or impractical to adjust any spacing other than word spaces. Careful design of letters and their attached space solved most spacing problems; special combinations of letters cast on the same block (logotypes) were also created to solve some spacing problems.
See also fit, fitted, logotype, kerning, pair kerning, spacing.
ligature
Two or more letters combined as a single character for aesthetic purposes or to clarify pronunciation. Traditionally, such letters are joined by a connecting stroke; however, type designers and manufacturers now often substitute combinations of unjoined letters in certain styles. Ligatures in modern use include the f-ligatures, and vowel ligatures. Also, refers to the joining stroke(s) between letters that form a ligature. Some authors also refer to the ligature characters as tied letters See also diphthong, logotype, tied letter.
linéal
See sans serif.
linecasting
See metal type.
line spacing
In digital and phototypesetting, the vertical distance between lines of type measured from the baseline of one line to the baseline of the next, often expressed in points, fractions of points, or millimeters. Also known as interlinear space and linefeed. Many contemporary authors and software programs refer to line spacing as leading, although in its traditional usage, this term has a different meaning. See also leading.
lining numerals, lining figures
The set of arabic numerals in a font that appear to be the same height (1234567890), typically extending approximately from the baseline to the capital height or slightly below. These numerals are frequently used in the composition of columns of figures, also in scientific and mathematical notation. To aid in setting tabular material, each numeral often occupies the same width, in which case their spacing is known as tabular. For optically even spacing, lining numerals may also be designed to occupy varying widths, in which case their spacing is often called fitted. Also called aligning numerals or figures, ranging numerals or figures, modern numerals or figures, or (increasingly), capital numerals or figures. The French and Germans also sometimes use names for these characters (in French, chiffres capitales, in German, Majuskelziffern or Versalziffern) that translate as capital numerals. See also old-style numerals.
link
The connecting stroke between the upper bowl and lower loop of a two-story lowercase g.
logotype
A symbolic design that includes letterforms and/or pictorial imagery. A logotype is often used to represent a company or organization. Also referred to as a logo. Also, in reference to metal type, two letters that were cast together as one piece of type to reduce the amount of space between them and to prevent delicate overhanging metal parts from breaking off, as in the combinations Ta and Vo. Some authors refer to ligatures as logotypes. See also ligature.
loop
The lower portion of a two-story lowercase g. Also, an enclosing stroke that either ascends or descends from a lowercase script letter.
lowercase letters
The small letters of the Latin alphabet. First widely written by scribes in the seventh to the ninth centuries, their basic present-day forms were established by fifteenth-century Renaissance scribes and first adapted for typography during the same period. Their name is derived from a tradition of metal type that called for storing these letters in the lower of two drawers, or cases, while capitals, or uppercase letters, were kept in the upper drawer. Also called minuscules, especially in discussions of calligraphy and handwriting.
Latin alphabet
The twenty-six letters that are the basis for the alphabets of most of the written languages in the western world. They are typically used in two versions, capital and lowercase. Capital letterforms are derived from classical Roman stone-carved lettering, which was based on earlier Greek and Phoenician lettering. Lowercase letters, ultimately derived from capitals, resulted from an evolution in the handwriting of scribes; the basic lowercase forms were first widely used after an edict by the emperor Charlemagne in C.E. 789 and were later refined by Renaissance scribes in the fifteenth century.
leader
One of a series of evenly spaced dots or dashes repeated in succession, often used to direct the eye across a page. Also, a row of evenly spaced dots or dashes, often combined to form single characters that can be repeated in succession. Traditionally, leaders were used in tables and indexes.
leading
In digital and phototypesetting and desktop publishing, the vertical distance between lines of type measured from the baseline of one line to the baseline of the next, often expressed in points, fractions of points, or millimeters. Also called line spacing and interlinear space (terms that many authors prefer) or linefeed.
Traditionally, leading refers only to additional space inserted between lines of type; many authors retain this distinction. For example, when type is specified as 10/12, this notation is traditionally expressed verbally as 10 point type with 2 points of leading. However, in contemporary usage the same notation is often expressed as 10 point type with 12 points of line spacing or leading. The term leading is derived from metal type, in which compositors inserted strips of lead of varying thicknesses to increase the space between lines of type. See also linespacing.
legibility
A characteristic of type that indicates how recognizable the characters of a typeface are, especially at text sizes. Often measured by the speed with which the reader recognizes characters. See also readability.
letter
A character or symbol used to express a sound; a component of an alphabet used in graphic communication.
letter spacing
In typesetting, the adjustment of space between characters, either uniformly or optically. Also, sometimes refers to the spaces themselves or the fit of the letterforms. A typeface is usually spaced (or fitted) by the type designer or manufacturer so that letters appear to be fairly evenly spaced; however, in typesetting slight adjustments are sometimes desirable to achieve greater legibility and readability or to create special graphic effects, as in display typography.
In digital and phototypesetting, the addition or subtraction of an equal amount of space globally between all characters in a selected portion of text is often called positive or negative tracking, or less commonly, uniform letter spacing or character compensation. Subtraction of space is also called negative letter spacing or white-space reduction. An alternate kind of letter spacing, the addition (or, in desktop-publishing, also subtraction) of aesthetically determined spaces between individual character pairs to create an even overall appearance is called optical letter spacing. Extremely refined optical adjustments to spaces between individual character pairs are possible through the use of kerning programs. Both tracking and kerning values are usually given in small divisions of the em called units or in fractions of a unit; some graphic designers also use points to indicate the amount of space to be added or subtracted, although a disadvantage of the point is that it does not allow the fine distinctions of spacing that are usually necessary.
Positive tracking is typically used for text at small point sizes (such as 4 to 9 points) to increase legibility, also for type that is reversed (in a light color or tone against a darker background), for characters that will be viewed on a computer or television screen, and for any type that will be viewed under adverse conditions that detract from legibility. Traditionally, it is also used with lowercase letters in German (in place of italics) to emphasize words. Negative tracking is often used at large sizes (such as 18 to 24 points and above) and to increase the graphic impact of display lines in advertising. Traditional style rules for English usually discourage use of letter spacing to justify text because it creates an uneven appearance in text and can reduce legibility.
In hand composition with metal type, optical letter spacing was often accomplished through the insertion of small nonprinting pieces of lead or copper (or sometimes paper) between individual pieces of type; usually only capitals and small capitals were treated in this manner. In machine composition with metal type, it was often impossible or impractical to adjust any spacing other than word spaces. Careful design of letters and their attached space solved most spacing problems; special combinations of letters cast on the same block (logotypes) were also created to solve some spacing problems.
See also fit, fitted, logotype, kerning, pair kerning, spacing.
ligature
Two or more letters combined as a single character for aesthetic purposes or to clarify pronunciation. Traditionally, such letters are joined by a connecting stroke; however, type designers and manufacturers now often substitute combinations of unjoined letters in certain styles. Ligatures in modern use include the f-ligatures, and vowel ligatures. Also, refers to the joining stroke(s) between letters that form a ligature. Some authors also refer to the ligature characters as tied letters See also diphthong, logotype, tied letter.
linéal
See sans serif.
linecasting
See metal type.
line spacing
In digital and phototypesetting, the vertical distance between lines of type measured from the baseline of one line to the baseline of the next, often expressed in points, fractions of points, or millimeters. Also known as interlinear space and linefeed. Many contemporary authors and software programs refer to line spacing as leading, although in its traditional usage, this term has a different meaning. See also leading.
lining numerals, lining figures
The set of arabic numerals in a font that appear to be the same height (1234567890), typically extending approximately from the baseline to the capital height or slightly below. These numerals are frequently used in the composition of columns of figures, also in scientific and mathematical notation. To aid in setting tabular material, each numeral often occupies the same width, in which case their spacing is known as tabular. For optically even spacing, lining numerals may also be designed to occupy varying widths, in which case their spacing is often called fitted. Also called aligning numerals or figures, ranging numerals or figures, modern numerals or figures, or (increasingly), capital numerals or figures. The French and Germans also sometimes use names for these characters (in French, chiffres capitales, in German, Majuskelziffern or Versalziffern) that translate as capital numerals. See also old-style numerals.
link
The connecting stroke between the upper bowl and lower loop of a two-story lowercase g.
logotype
A symbolic design that includes letterforms and/or pictorial imagery. A logotype is often used to represent a company or organization. Also referred to as a logo. Also, in reference to metal type, two letters that were cast together as one piece of type to reduce the amount of space between them and to prevent delicate overhanging metal parts from breaking off, as in the combinations Ta and Vo. Some authors refer to ligatures as logotypes. See also ligature.
loop
The lower portion of a two-story lowercase g. Also, an enclosing stroke that either ascends or descends from a lowercase script letter.
lowercase letters
The small letters of the Latin alphabet. First widely written by scribes in the seventh to the ninth centuries, their basic present-day forms were established by fifteenth-century Renaissance scribes and first adapted for typography during the same period. Their name is derived from a tradition of metal type that called for storing these letters in the lower of two drawers, or cases, while capitals, or uppercase letters, were kept in the upper drawer. Also called minuscules, especially in discussions of calligraphy and handwriting.