Italic

Italic refers to a style of typeface characterized by slanted or sloped characters, typically used to emphasize or distinguish text within a body of writing. Originating from the Italian Renaissance, the term "italic" is derived from the Italian word "corsivo," meaning cursive, reflecting its cursive-like appearance. It was first developed in the late 15th century by Venetian printers to emulate handwritten script and add aesthetic variation to printed texts.

In typography, italic type has distinct visual features, including a slight rightward slant and often a different design of letterforms compared to their upright counterparts. It is often used for emphasis, titles of works, foreign words, or technical terms. Italic type can be styled with various fonts and is often designed to complement the regular (roman) typeface used within the same document or publication.

The use of italics is governed by style guides, which specify its application for emphasis rather than for general text. In digital typography, italics are typically implemented as a separate font style within font families. The differentiation between italic and oblique styles, which are visually similar but technically distinct, varies depending on typeface design—oblique styles are mechanically slanted versions of the regular typeface, whereas true italics maintain specific design features.

Historically, italics have played a significant role in literary and scholarly works, providing a way to highlight specific parts of text without disrupting the overall flow. Their use continues today in both print and digital media, facilitating clarity and emphasis in written communication.