pica

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

noun an eating disorder, frequent in children, in which non-nutritional objects are eaten persistently
noun a linear unit (1/6 inch) used in printing
noun magpies

Borrowed from Latin pīca (“jay; magpie”). Doublet of pie (“magpie”). * (pathology): From the idea that magpies will eat almost anything.

It was a folio, pro patria size, in pica, with long primer notes. — Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, Benjamin Franklin
The foreman thereupon jumped on Mr. Visscher with a small pica wrought iron side stick. — Remarks, Bill Nye
A Handbook of Astronomy (cover, brown leather, detached, 5 plates, antique letterpress long primer, author’s footnotes nonpareil, marginal clues brevier, captions small pica). — Ulysses, James Joyce

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