Geviert

Geviert is a term used in typography to refer to a square unit of measurement, where the height and width are equal. It is a traditional unit of measure that has been used for centuries, particularly in the context of typesetting and printing. The term "Geviert" originates from the German language and translates to "square" or "fourth," reflecting its geometric basis.

In the context of typography, a Geviert is typically defined as the square of the body size of a typeface. The body size refers to the height of the metal type used in letterpress printing. For example, if the body size of a typeface is 12 points, a Geviert would be a square measuring 12 points by 12 points. This unit of measurement was crucial in the era of manual typesetting, as it provided a standardized way to calculate the space occupied by different type sizes and styles.

The Geviert is also related to the concept of "em" in typography, which is a unit of measurement based on the width of the typeface's body. In many typefaces, the width of the "M" character (hence the name "em") is equal to the body size, making the em and the Geviert equivalent in those cases. However, in typefaces where the "M" is wider than the body size, the em and Geviert would differ.

With the advent of digital typography, the use of Geviert has diminished, as modern systems often rely on points and pixels for measurement. Nevertheless, understanding the concept of Geviert remains important for those interested in the history and traditional practices of typography.