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point system

point system

4.3
A way to measure font size using small units called points
  • noun
  • /pɔɪnt ˈsɪstəm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : sistema de puntos
  • The point system ensures that fonts are produced in consistent and precise sizes.

Examples

  • Many modern publishers use the point system to measure both text and spacing.

  • Many publishers use a point system to standardize print sizes.

  • Before the point system, type sizes often varied from one foundry to another.

  • The point system helps designers choose the right font size.

  • Many modern publishers use the point system to measure both text and spacing.

  • The point system ensures that fonts are produced in consistent and precise sizes.

  • The point system helps designers choose the right font size.

Surface Forms

point system singular
point systems plural

Morphology

point + system

The noun-noun compound is directly compositional: 'point' denotes a scoring unit and 'system' denotes an organized set of rules, so 'point system' straightforwardly means a method that uses points for evaluation. This is a common, cross-linguistic construction and follows standard English compounding patterns, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

The noun point system in printing comes from when old printers measured letter size using tiny units called points, like small marks on a ruler, so each font got a number. That's why it means the standard way to measure type sizes.