pica

¹ American  

[pahy-kuh] / ˈpaɪ kə /

noun

Printing.

1. a 12-point type of a size between small pica and English.

2. the depth of this type size as a unit of linear measurement for type, pages containing type, etc.; one sixth of an inch.

3. a 12-point type, widely used for typewriters, having 10 characters to the inch.

---

pica ² American  

[pahy-kuh] / ˈpaɪ kə /

noun

Pathology.

1. an abnormal appetite or craving for substances that are not fit to eat, as chalk or clay, common in malnutrition, pregnancy, etc.

---

pica ¹ British  

/ ˈpaɪkə /

noun

1. Also called: em.   pica em.  a printer's unit of measurement, equal to 12 points or 0.166 ins

2. (formerly) a size of printer's type equal to 12 point

3. a typewriter type size having 10 characters to the inch

---

pica ² British  

/ ˈpaɪkə /

noun

1. pathol an abnormal craving to ingest substances such as clay, dirt, or hair, sometimes occurring during pregnancy, in persons with chlorosis, etc

---

Etymology

Origin of pica¹

1580–90; apparently < Medieval Latin pīca pie ⁴, on the model of brevier and canon ¹, other type sizes

Origin of pica²

1555–65; < New Latin, special use of Latin pīca jay, magpie, with reference to its omnivorous feeding

Example Sentences

Other conditions such as bulimia, binge eating disorder and pica were gradually added.

From Seattle Times

A girl shared that she would eat random objects — a condition called pica that often accompanies the disease.

From Washington Post

In another report, the inspector pointed to years of concerns about the care provided to patients who have pica, a disorder in which people feel compelled to swallow inedible objects such as coins and zippers.

From Salon

The report showed that “Merakey had no effective policies in place to prevent its residents from engaging in pica behavior,” Civatte’s lawsuit said.

From Seattle Times

The agreement requires the school system to implement a pica safety protocol that includes staff training and requires students with pica have individual supervision.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• font