Pica Definition

pīkə

picas

noun

picas

A size of type, 12 point.

Webster's New World

The height of this type, about¹₆ inch.

Webster's New World

An equivalent unit of composition measurement used in determining the dimensions of lines, illustrations, or printed pages.

American Heritage

A size of type for typewriters, measuring 10 characters to the linear inch.

Webster's New World

An abnormal craving to eat substances not fit for food, as clay or paint.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

pronoun

A taxonomic genus within the family Corvidae "” the magpies.

Wiktionary

Other Word Forms of Pica

Singular:

pica

Plural:

picas

The printing senses are probably from named the obsolete service book, which used this type size (compare canon and brevier) . In turn seemingly from Latin pÄ«ca (“magpie"), after the piebald appearance of the typeset page (compare pie (“disordered type")).

From Wiktionary
Probably from Medieval Latin pīca list of church services (perhaps from the typeface used to print it)

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Latin pÄ«ca (“magpie, jay") (from the idea that magpies will eat almost anything).

From Wiktionary
New Latin pīca from Latin magpie (from its omnivorous nature)

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Latin pica (“magpie").

From Wiktionary

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