demy

American  

[dih-mahy] / dɪˈmaɪ /

noun

plural

demies

1. a foundation scholar at Magdalen College, Oxford: so called because such a scholar originally received half the allowance of a fellow.

2. (in England) a size of printing paper, 17.5 × 22.5 inches (44 × 57 centimeters).

3. a size of drawing or writing paper, 15.5 (39 centimeters) or 15 × 20 inches (38 × 51 centimeters) in England, 16 × 21 inches (41 × 53 centimeters) in the U.S.

4. Also called demy octavo.  a size of book, about 5.5 × 8.75 inches (14 × 48 centimeters), untrimmed. demy 8vo

5. Also called demy quarto.  Chiefly British. a size of book, about 8.75 × 11 inches (22 × 28 centimeters), untrimmed. demy 4to

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demy British  

/ dɪˈmaɪ /

noun

1. 1. a size of printing paper, 17 1/ 2 by 22 1/ 2 inches (444.5 × 571.5 mm)

   2. a size of writing paper, 15 1/ 2 by 20 inches (Brit) (393.7 × 508 mm) or 16 by 21 inches (US) (406.4 × 533.4 mm)

2. either one of two book sizes, 8 1/ 2 by 5 1/ 2 inches ( demy octavo ) or (chiefly Brit) 11 3/ 4 by 8 5/ 8 inches ( demy quarto )

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Etymology

Origin of demy

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English demi, demy; see demi-

Example Sentences

In demy 4to, handsomely bound in cloth, illustrated with 220 full page plates, Price 15s.

From Scamping Tricks and Odd Knowledge Occasionally Practised upon Public Works by Newman, John Henry

Fifth edition, with 82 plates drawn to scale, 412 pp., demy 8vo, cloth, 18s.

From Scamping Tricks and Odd Knowledge Occasionally Practised upon Public Works by Newman, John Henry

In demy 8vo, cloth gilt and gilt top, with 16 Illustrations and interesting facsimiles in text, 16s. net.

From Garcia the Centenarian And His Times Being a Memoir of Manuel Garcia's Life and Labours for the Advancement of Music and Science by Mackinlay, M. (Malcolm) Sterling

Printing 20 copies of an Act for altering the time of issuing Licenses for keeping of a House of Public Entertainment, ¼ sheet demy, pica type 0  3 4 April     5.

From Toronto of Old by Scadding, Henry

Three Vols., demy 8vo, cloth boards, 7s. 6d. each.

From The Ivory Gate, a new edition by Besant, Walter, Sir