E

E (n: i)

The fifth letter of the Latin-based script.

The fifth letter of the Greek-based script; Epsilon.

The sixth letter of the Cyrillic-based script; Yeh.

ear (n: i@r)

The right hand side stroke of a binocular letter g that is added to the head bowl of the letter. The ear represents the final top right stroke of the capital G.

em (n: Em)

A relative measurement unit based on the height of the type, from ascender to descender. Though its name is like that of the letter M, the em unit is not based on the width of the M, and cannot be calculated from it, as an M might have any width depending on the horizontal compression or extension of the type design. Instead, the em varies with the height of the type, growing or shrinking with the type size.

Usually used for horizontal measurements (points serve to measure vertically), the em unit can be used in CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) to measure in either direction.

A space that is an em unit wide; a mutton quad.

em-dash (n: 'Em d&S)

A horizontal line the length of the point size height, used to separate two phrases that are informationally but not grammatically related, often used to set off asides or remarks that otherwise would be parenthetical.

emblem (n: 'Em blEm)

A mark, not necessarily of letters, that stands for a thing, person, or most often, a company or organization. The Nike swoosh is an emblem; it is often part of the entire logo of the company, which includes the wordmark for the company.

en (n: En)

A relative measurement unit that is half the point-size height of the type. The en unit is half the length of the em unit.

Usually used for horizontal measurements (points serve to measure vertically), the en can be used in CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) to measure in either direction. En is used less frequently than em.

A space that is an en unit wide; a nut quad.

entasis (n: En 't& sIs)

A subtle curvature of a line, usually vertical, that represents a compression stress of gravity on an architectural column, causing the column to swell outwards at its middle; or, in type, a similar curve that swells inward as if the stroke were stretched end from end.

en-dash (n: 'En d&S)

A horizontal line half the length of the point-size height of the type, used to link two pieces of information; it can be read as "to": Athens–London, Athens to London; or as a range: 10:00–12:00, from ten to twelve.

expanded (adj: Eks 'p&nd Ed)

A type style that is wider than the basic design of a type family.

expansion (adj: Eks p&n S@n)

Of a stroke of a type style, that its weight is distributed by means similar to that of a flexible-nib pen; the edges spread apart and close up according to the pressure that spreads the nib's two halves. Cf. Translation.

extended (adj: Eks 't&nd Ed)

A type style that is wider than the basic design of a type family. Type that is mechanically extended will suffer from distortion as the contrast of the strokes, which carries much of the stylistic quality of a design, will be shifted from the designed contrast to one emphasizing and thickening the verticals. Mechanically extending (which includes scaling in computer applications) a typeface can, especially in high-contrast serif faces, make the thin verticals of N and M, and, to a lesser extent, the thin diagonals of AKVWY, much thicker than the horizontals of the type design. Extended variations that are drawn by the typeface designer to avoid the pitfalls of mechanical distortion are to be preferred.

eye (n: Ai)

The upper, usually closed, counter of the lowercase e.