Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

octavo

noun

/ɒkˈteɪ.voʊ/

Definition

A size of a book or paper that is made by folding a sheet of paper into eight leaves (16 pages).

Examples

Many classic novels are published in octavo format, making them easy to carry.
The historian preferred to read the octavo edition of the manuscript for its convenient size.
In the library, the octavo collection is well-organized for quick access to important texts.

Meaning

The term ‘octavo’ refers to a specific format for books, where the pages are created from a single sheet of paper folded into eight sections. This is a traditional method of bookmaking that results in a compact size, often used for novels, textbooks, and other printed materials.