I. ˈpīkə noun
( -s )
Etymology: probably from Medieval Latin, collection of church rules, probably from Latin, magpie; perhaps from its use in printing the service book and its resemblance to the colors of the bird
1. : an old size of type between small pica and english
2.
a. : a size of type equivalent to 12 point
b. : a unit equal to 12 point or about 1/6 inch used in measuring composing materials, line and cut widths, and type-page dimensions — compare em , line 9c, point system
3. : a size of typewriter type with 10 characters to the linear inch and six lines to the vertical inch
II. noun
Etymology: New Latin, from Latin, magpie — more at pie I
1. capitalized : the genus containing the magpies
2. -s
[probably from the fact that the magpie is omnivorous]
: a craving for and eating of unnatural substances (as chalk, ashes, or bones) that occurs in nutritional deficiency states (as aphosphorosis) in man or animals or in hysteric or insane conditions in man : geophagy — called also depraved appetite ; compare licking disease , wool eating