Block capital – Definition & Meaning

Block capital is a type of writing style that is characterized by letters that are all written in capital letters and are of the same size and width. It is commonly used in titles, headlines, and signs, and is often associated with a bold and strong appearance. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of block capital, its origin, and its associations.

Definitions

Block capital is a writing style that is characterized by the use of capital letters that are all of the same size and width. It is often used in titles, headlines, and signs to create a bold and strong appearance. Block capital is also known as uppercase, all-caps, or majuscule.

Origin

The origin of block capital can be traced back to the early days of printing, when letters were carved into blocks of wood or metal. These blocks were then used to print text onto paper, and the letters were all of the same size and width. This style of writing became popular in the 19th century, when it was used in advertisements and signs.

Meaning in different dictionaries

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, block capital is “a style of writing in which all the letters are capitals of the same size and shape, used especially for titles and headings.” The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines block capital as “a capital letter that is the same height and width as other capital letters.”

Associations

Block capital is often associated with strength, boldness, and clarity. It is commonly used in titles, headlines, and signs to grab the reader’s attention and convey an important message. Block capital is also associated with modernity and simplicity, as it is often used in minimalist designs.

Synonyms

Block capital is also known as uppercase, all-caps, or majuscule. Other synonyms include capital letters, block letters, and bold letters.

Antonyms

The antonyms of block capital are lowercase, small letters, or minuscule. These are the opposite of block capital and are used to create a more casual or informal appearance.

The same root words

The root words of block capital are “block” and “capital.” Block refers to the printing blocks that were used to create the letters, while capital refers to the use of capital letters.

Example Sentences

1. The sign outside the store was written in block capital letters.
2. The title of the book was printed in all-caps block letters.
3. The designer used block capital font to create a modern and minimalist look.
4. The warning sign was written in bold block capital letters to ensure that it was noticed.
5. The logo of the company was designed using block capital letters to create a strong and memorable image.