Pi"ca (?), n. [L. pica a pie, magpie; in sense 3 prob. named from some resemblance to the colors of the magpie. Cf. Pie magpie.]
1. Zool.
The genus that includes the magpies.
2. Med.
A vitiated appetite that craves what is unfit for food, as chalk, ashes, coal, etc.; chthonophagia.
3. R. C. Ch.
A service-book. See Pie.
[Obs.]
4. Print.
A size of type next larger than small pica, and smaller than English.
⇒ This line is printed in pica
⇒ 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.
⇒ This line is printed in small pica
© Webster 1913.