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

Noun Inflected Forms

• demies
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of demy

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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

demy demies

English religious and social reformer, was born in Gloucestershire, and educated at Magdalen College, Oxford, of which he was successively demy and fellow.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 7 "Crocoite" to "Cuba" by Various

An entirely New Edition, handsomely printed, containing all the Portraits and Illustrations; in 17 vols., demy 8vo, 8s. each.

From 'Midst the Wild Carpathians by M?r J?kai

Elegantly bound in two vols., demy 8vo., cloth, gilt back, price 14s.

From Heathen Mythology by Various

Complete in one volume, demy 4to, cloth, 5s.

From Left on the Prairie by M. B. Cox

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

From Wrinkles in Electric Lighting by Vincent Stephen

Those on the foundation are the dean, president, master, warden, according to the charter of the College; the fellows, scholars, called demies at Magdalene, and post-masters at Merton; chaplains, bible-clerks, servitors, at Christchurch and Jesus. 

From Rides on Railways by Samuel Sidney

The name of a scholar at Magdalene College, Oxford, where there are thirty demies or half-fellows, as it were, who, like scholars in other colleges, succeed to fellowships.—Johnson.

From A Collection of College Words and Customs by Benjamin Homer Hall

This attempt at a solid fiction is, with their permission, dedicated to the President, Fellows, and demies of St. Mary Magdalen College.

From It Is Never Too Late to Mend by Charles Reade

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