brevier: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Extremely Low / ArchaicHistorical / Technical (Printing, Typography)
Quick answer
What does “brevier” mean?
A size of type, now archaic, approximately 8-point.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A size of type, now archaic, approximately 8-point.
An obsolete printing term for a specific, small type size used historically in book and newspaper typesetting. Can refer metonymically to the style or design of such type.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No meaningful difference. The term is equally obsolete in both varieties.
Connotations
Historical craftsmanship, obsolete technology, traditional printing.
Frequency
Virtually non-existent in modern discourse in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “brevier” in a Sentence
Noun + preposition 'in' (set/printed in brevier)Adjective + noun (brevier type/font)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “brevier” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The brevier text in the 18th-century almanac was hard to read.
- He specialised in brevier typefaces.
American English
- The brevier text in the 18th-century almanac was hard to read.
- He specialized in brevier typefaces.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Possible only in historical studies of printing or bibliography.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
The only possible context, and even then only historical/archival within printing and typography.
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “brevier”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “brevier”
- Mispronouncing it as /ˈbriːviər/ (like 'breve').
- Using it to describe modern digital fonts.
- Spelling it as 'brevere' or 'breviere'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is a historical term from metal type printing. Modern designers use the point system (e.g., 8pt) directly.
No, that would be incorrect and confusing. Use terms like 'small font size' or '8-point text' instead.
You might encounter it in historical texts about printing, in old printing manuals, or in detailed descriptions of antique books.
Both are obsolete type sizes. 'Brevier' is roughly 8-point, while 'Minion' is roughly 7-point, making it slightly smaller. These are specific named sizes from a traditional system.
A size of type, now archaic, approximately 8-point.
Brevier is usually historical / technical (printing, typography) in register.
Brevier: in British English it is pronounced /brɪˈvɪə/, and in American English it is pronounced /brɪˈvɪr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'BRIEF-er' – it's a briefer, smaller type size than standard text.
Conceptual Metaphor
TYPE SIZE IS A HIERARCHY (with brevier being a lower rank).
Practice
Quiz
What is 'brevier'?