Word Direct Answers

What does "pica" mean?

Pica: (Med.) A vitiated appetite that craves what is unfit for food, as chalk, ashes, coal, etc.; chthonophagia.

Additional senses

  1. 2.(R. C. Ch.) A service-book. See Pie. [Obs.]
  2. 3.(Print.) A size of type next larger than small pica, and smaller than English. Note: This line is printed in pica Note: Pica is twice the size of nonpareil, and is used as a standard of measurement in casting leads, cutting rules, etc., and also as a standard by which to designate several larger kinds of type, as double pica, two-line pica, four-line pica, and the like. Small pica (Print.), a size of type next larger than long primer, and smaller than pica. Note: This line is printed in small pica

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