demy

[ dih-mahy ]

/ dɪˈmaɪ /

a foundation scholar at Magdalen College, Oxford: so called because such a scholar originally received half the allowance of a fellow.

(in England) a size of printing paper, 17.5 × 22.5 inches (44 × 57 cm).

a size of drawing or writing paper, 15.5 (39 cm) or 15 × 20 inches (38 × 51 cm) in England, 16 × 21 inches (41 × 53 cm) in the U.S.

Also called demy octavo. a size of book, about 5.5 × 8.75 inches (14 × 48 cm), untrimmed. Abbreviation: demy 8vo

Also called demy quarto. Chiefly British. a size of book, about 8.75 × 11 inches (22 × 28 cm), untrimmed. Abbreviation: demy 4to

Origin of demy

1400–50; late Middle English demi, demy; see demi-

The founder of Magdalen provided that in his college Demies under the age of fifteen should sleep two in a bed.

Oxford and its Story |Cecil Headlam
The expulsion of the Fellows was followed on a like refusal by that of the Demies.

History of the English People, Volume VII (of 8) |John Richard Green
A few weeks after the expulsion of the Demies, Parker died in the house of which he had violently taken possession.

The History of England from the Accession of James II. |Thomas Babington Macaulay
The expulsion of the Fellows was soon followed by the expulsion of a crowd of Demies.

The History of England from the Accession of James II. |Thomas Babington Macaulay

demy

/ (dɪˈmaɪ) /

a size of printing paper, 17 1/2 by 22 1/2 inches (444.5 × 571.5 mm)
a size of writing paper, 15 1/2 by 20 inches (Brit) (393.7 × 508 mm) or 16 by 21 inches (US) (406.4 × 533.4 mm)

either one of two book sizes, 8 1/2 by 5 1/2 inches (demy octavo) or (chiefly Brit) 11 3/4 by 8 5/8 inches (demy quarto)

C16: see demi-