medium quarto: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (Specialised)Formal / Technical
Quick answer
What does “medium quarto” mean?
A size of paper approximately 9.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A size of paper approximately 9.5 × 12 inches (241 × 305 mm), or a book made from sheets of paper folded twice to create four leaves (eight pages).
A standard format for books, stationery, and archival documents, particularly in historical publishing and bibliographic description. It often indicates a book of a specific, substantial but not overly large size.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used identically in both varieties, as it is a technical standard. The underlying imperial measurements (inches) are more intuitive in the US, while the UK officially uses metric, though the traditional names persist.
Connotations
Connotes precision, tradition, and specialist knowledge in both regions.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language. Used with equal rarity but equal recognition in relevant specialist fields in both the UK and US.
Grammar
How to Use “medium quarto” in a Sentence
The [book/catalogue] is a medium quarto.It was printed in medium quarto.A medium quarto [volume/edition].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “medium quarto” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The medium quarto volume was handsomely rebound in calf.
American English
- The auction listed a first edition in medium quarto.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in specific businesses like antiquarian bookselling or bespoke stationery.
Academic
Used in historical studies, bibliography, library science, and publishing history.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
The primary domain of use: printing, bookbinding, archival description, and bibliographic cataloguing.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “medium quarto”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “medium quarto”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “medium quarto”
- Using it to describe any medium-sized book (it is specific).
- Pronouncing 'quarto' as /ˈkweɪr.toʊ/ (incorrect; it's /ˈkwɔːr.toʊ/).
- Thinking 'medium' modifies the importance, not the sheet size.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a highly specialised term used primarily in printing, bibliography, and antiquarian book trades.
Almost certainly not. Modern trade books rarely use these traditional sheet-size names. It is most applicable to older books or specific fine printing.
'Quarto' is the general format (sheet folded twice). 'Medium quarto' specifies the exact size of the original sheet (a 'medium' sized sheet), resulting in a book of approximately 9.5 x 12 inches.
It can refer to the paper size itself, used for stationery, archival folders, or art paper, but this is also a technical usage.
A size of paper approximately 9.
Medium quarto is usually formal / technical in register.
Medium quarto: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmiː.di.əm ˈkwɔː.təʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmiː.di.əm ˈkwɔːr.toʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a MEDIUM-sized pizza box; a QUARTO is made by folding a sheet into QUARTERs. A 'medium quarto' is a medium-sized item made from quartered sheets.
Conceptual Metaphor
BOOK FORMAT IS A CONTAINER (with specific dimensions).
Practice
Quiz
What does 'medium quarto' specifically refer to?