octavo

[ ok-tey-voh, -tah- ]

noun

, plural oc·ta·vos

1. a book size of about 6 × 9 inches (16 × 23 centimeters), determined by printing on sheets folded to form 8 leaves or 16 pages. : 8vo, 8°
2. a book of this size.

adjective

1. in octavo.

octavo

/ ɒkˈteɪvəʊ /

noun

1. Also calledeightvo a book size resulting from folding a sheet of paper of a specified size to form eight leaves Often written8vo8°

   demi-octavo

2. a book of this size
3. (formerly) a size of cut paper 8 inches by 5 inches (20.3 cm by 12.7 cm)

Word History and Origins

Origin of octavo¹

First recorded in 1575–85; short for New Latin in octāvō “in an eighth (of a sheet)”

Word History and Origins

Origin of octavo¹

C16: from New Latin phrase in octavo in an eighth (of a whole sheet)

Example Sentences

However, demand was fully re-established in the decade 1600-1609, and not just for the new more complex commentaries such as that of Clavius, published in fat quartos, but also for cheap octavo editions.

From Literature

“Who, indeed, but a woman,” wrote one reviewer, “could have ventured, with the smallest prospect of success, to fill three octavo volumes with the history of a woman’s heart?”

From The Guardian

These books were produced in a handy, pocket-sized octavo format that is still a standard today.

From New York Times

The Hollywood Reporter cover isn’t about getting together an octavo of actresses for a girl talk.

From Salon

Of the octavo de finals, this one is the biggest mismatch on paper.

From New York Times

Related Words

• album
• booklet
• brochure
• copy
• dictionary
• edition
• essay
• fiction
• magazine
• manual
• novel
• pamphlet
• paperback
• publication
• text
• textbook
• tome
• volume
• work
• writing