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Graphic Design vocabulary · Typography

Drop cap

Meaning in graphic design, with examples

nounCommon term

In graphic design, drop cap means: An enlarged opening letter extending down beside several lines of a paragraph.

In Turkish: gömme büyük harf

How it is used

Use for a paragraph opening; distinguish it from a raised initial above the line.

Example sentences

  1. The drop cap spans three lines at the start of the chapter.

    The initial occupies vertical space alongside the opening text.

  2. We adjusted the drop cap so its curved side did not leave a hole.

    The enlarged letter needs spacing that follows its particular shape.

Common collocations

  • three-line drop cap
  • set a drop cap
  • body copyThe main, longer text of a design, such as paragraphs in a brochure or article, as opposed to headlines, captions and other short text.
  • typographyThe art and skill of choosing and arranging letters so that text is easy to read and looks right: the choice of typefaces, sizes, spacing and line length.

More terms: Typography

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