A "fingerbreadth" is a unit of length that is approximately equal to the width of an adult human finger. It is often used informally and in various historical and cultural contexts as a convenient way to estimate small lengths or distances. The actual measurement of a fingerbreadth can vary somewhat depending on the size of an individual's finger, but it is typically around 1 inch (about 2.54 centimeters) or slightly less.
In some historical systems of measurement, particularly in ancient cultures, the fingerbreadth was used as a standardized unit for measuring length. It was one of the smaller units within a larger system of measurement, often used for small-scale applications like measuring the dimensions of objects, architectural details, or jewelry.
While the fingerbreadth is not a commonly used unit of measurement in modern times, it remains a useful and intuitive way to approximate small lengths informally, especially when a quick estimate is needed.
A "pica" is a unit of measurement commonly used in typography and desktop publishing to represent the size of text, fonts, and other elements on a printed page. The pica is part of a system of measurement used in the field of typesetting, which involves arranging and designing text for printed materials.
In the pica system:
1 pica (abbreviated as "p") is equal to 12 points. 1 point (abbreviated as "pt") is approximately equal to 1/72nd of an inch.
So, 1 pica is roughly equal to 1/6th of an inch.
This system is based on the traditional point system used in printing, where a point is a very small unit of measurement. Picas and points are still widely used in the design and printing industry, especially when specifying font sizes, line spacing, and other layout details for printed materials like books, magazines, and newspapers.
In digital design and modern desktop publishing software, you can often switch between using picas and points or other units like inches, millimeters, or pixels to set and adjust the layout of text and graphic elements.