three-quarter binding
- noun
- /θriːˈkwɔːrtər ˈbaɪndɪŋ/
- Specialized
:
tapa tres cuartos
- The rare edition was preserved in a three-quarter binding of calf and marbled paper.
Examples
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Collectors often prefer books with three-quarter binding for their decorative contrast and durability.
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The library commissioned several volumes in three-quarter binding to display classic craftsmanship.
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The book features a beautiful three-quarter binding.
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I prefer three-quarter bindings for my collection.
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Collectors often prefer books with three-quarter binding due to their decorative contrast and durability.
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The library commissioned several volumes in three-quarter binding to showcase classic craftsmanship.
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The rare edition was preserved in a three-quarter binding made of calfskin and marbled paper.
How Covered
Surface Forms
Morphology
three-quarter + bind
The phrase is compositional: 'three-quarter' denotes an extent (three fourths) and 'binding' refers to the book-cover construction, so a learner who knows both constituents can infer this is a style of binding covering most (about 3/4) of the cover in a different material. This modifier+noun pattern is regular and cross-linguistically common, so the core meaning is directly derivable for a B1 learner (though fine structural details may require exposure).
Etymology
Three-quarter binding comes from the simple image of covering about three quarters of a book's cover with a different material: the spine and most of the sides are wrapped in leather while the rest is paper. So, the phrase names a book whose spine and most sides are made in one material and the remaining cover is made in another.