demy

American  

[dih-mahy] / dɪˈmaɪ /

noun

demies plural

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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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• demies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of demy

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

Example Sentences

Subscribers of 1l. 1s. shall be entitled to a copy on royal paper, and subscribers of 10s. 6d. to a copy on demy paper.

From Notes and Queries, Vol. IV, Number 90, July 19, 1851 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Geneologists, etc. by Various

One volume, demy 8vo., cloth, 10s. 6d. net.

From Verse and Worse by Graham, Harry

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

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

From Wrinkles in Electric Lighting by Stephen, Vincent

Two volumes, demy 8vo, black cloth gilt, �3, 3s. net.

From The Recollections of Alexis de Tocqueville by Tocqueville, Alexis de