A "twip" is a unit of measurement used in desktop publishing and computer graphics, especially in the context of Microsoft Windows. The term "twip" is an abbreviation for "twentieth of a point," and it is used to define very small distances and sizes.
In the twip system:
1 twip is equal to 1/20th of a point. 1 point (abbreviated as "pt") is equal to approximately 20 twips.
Because a point is roughly 1/72nd of an inch, 1 twip is approximately 1/1440th of an inch (or about 1/567 millimeters).
Twips are used in various applications, including word processing, graphics design, and layout software. They are particularly valuable for precise positioning and sizing of elements on a computer screen or when preparing documents for printing. The twip system is commonly used in Microsoft Windows-based applications and the Windows Graphics Device Interface (GDI).
For example, in Microsoft Word, you can set paragraph spacing or element positioning in twips to achieve fine control over the layout of your documents.
"Aln" is a unit of length that is used in some parts of Scandinavia, particularly in Sweden and Norway. The term "aln" is derived from the Old Norse word "alinn," which means "forearm." Historically, it was a common unit of measurement for cloth, textiles, and land.
The exact length of an aln could vary by region, but it was generally around 2 Swedish feet or approximately 59.4 centimeters (or about 23.4 inches) in Sweden. In Norway, an aln was somewhat longer, typically around 62.7 centimeters (about 24.7 inches).
The use of the aln as a standard unit of measurement has largely been replaced by the metric system in Scandinavia and most parts of the world, but it may still be referenced in historical or traditional contexts.