Colombier

/ˌkɒlɒmˈbieɪ/ noun

Definition

A paper size approximately 17.7 × 22.4 inches, historically used in France for printing and publishing.

Etymology

From French 'colombe' (dove), possibly because the watermark featured a dove. It's a traditional European paper size that predates the modern metric system.

Kelly Says

Before standard paper sizes existed, printers named sizes after watermarks and symbols—'colombier' with its dove watermark was fancy enough for important documents, like when your printer has 'premium' settings now.

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