Folio: meaning, definitions and examples

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folio

[ˈfəʊliəʊ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

book page

A sheet of paper, parchment, or similar material, attached only at one edge, and usually bound in a book.

Synonyms

leaf, page, sheet.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
folio	Used primarily in the context of books and manuscripts, a folio refers to a sheet of paper folded once to make two leaves or four pages. It is often used in describing old or academic books. The library acquired a rare folio of Shakespeare's plays. The manuscript was a large folio, with beautiful illustrations.
page	Often used in everyday language to refer to any side of a sheet of paper in a book, magazine, or document. It's the most common and general term in this context. He bookmarked the page to save his place. The book has over 300 pages.
sheet	Generally refers to a single piece of paper, especially when it is loose and not bound. This term can also be used in other contexts like bed sheets or metal sheets, so the context is important. She handed him a sheet of paper to write on. The project required several sheets of cardboard.
leaf	Can refer to a single sheet of paper within a book or a loose piece of paper. It's often used when discussing pages of a manuscript or a printed book in a more poetic or formal manner. She turned the leaf to continue reading. The ancient leaf was fragile and yellowed with age.

Examples of usage

He turned the page of the ancient folio carefully.
The library's collection includes many rare folios from the 16th century.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

size of paper

A book size, typically about 15 inches by 20 inches, made by folding a sheet of paper in half.

Synonyms

large format, octavo, quarto.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
folio	This word can also refer to a single sheet of paper or parchment, often folded in half to create two leaves (four pages). It is commonly used in bibliographic and archival contexts. The archivist carefully turned the delicate folio to examine the text. Each folio of the medieval manuscript was meticulously illustrated.
large format	This term is used to describe books, prints, or photographs that are larger than typical sizes. It is usually employed in art, design, or printing contexts where the size of the material is significantly larger. The photographer released his new work in a large format edition. The coffee table book was printed in a large format to showcase the detailed maps.
quarto	This term is used to describe books that are of a medium size, created from sheets of paper folded twice to form four leaves (eight pages). Quarto is commonly used in bibliographic and scholarly contexts. The professor referenced an old quarto edition of the scientific journal. Collectors admire the quarto format for its balance between size and readability.
octavo	Use this term when referring to books that are of a smaller size; especially ones that are about one-eighth the size of a standard sheet of paper. It's often used in bibliographic and historical contexts. She inherited a charming octavo edition of Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice'. The book dealer specialized in antique octavo volumes.

Examples of usage

The manuscript was written on a folio-sized paper.
The folio format was commonly used for medieval manuscripts.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The term originates from the Latin word 'folium', which means 'leaf', indicating the individual pages of a book.
In medieval manuscripts, a folio usually referred to a page number in which each piece of paper is counted as one leaf or two pages.
The word evolved in usage to represent modern book formats, reflecting its historical roots.

Literature

In publishing, folios are often numbered to help track pages, especially in larger books like encyclopedias or art books.
Some of the most famous historical texts, such as Shakespeare's works, were published in folio editions, which helped preserve their legacy.
The size and quality of a book's folio can influence its value, particularly for rare or collectible editions.

Art

Artists often use folios to present collections of their works in neatly arranged pages, showcasing their art and enhancing presentation.
Special editions of artist books sometimes utilize the folio format to combine illustrations and texts uniquely.
Some folios are designed as portfolios, where artists display their artwork together for potential clients or exhibitions.

Library Science

In library classification, folios or oversized books are subject to specific cataloging methods to make them easily retrievable.
Folios are often stored in special compartments to protect their size and prevent damage, unlike smaller books.
They are essential for research and reference because they can contain more detailed illustrations and texts traditionally kept in larger volumes.

Modern Usage

Today, the term 'folio' has also come to represent formats in digital documents, such as PDFs formatted to mimic traditional folio layouts.
Many companies use the term when discussing graphic designs or layout presentations that involve multiple pages, resembling a traditional folio.
As design trends evolve, a folio format continues to be adapted for innovative ways to present content, particularly in digital mediums.

Translations

Translations of the word "folio" in other languages:

🇵🇹 folha

🇮🇳 पृष्ठ

🇩🇪 Blatt

🇮🇩 lembaran

🇺🇦 аркуш

🇵🇱 kartka

🇯🇵 ページ

🇫🇷 feuille

🇪🇸 hoja

🇹🇷 sayfa

🇰🇷 페이지

🇸🇦 صفحة

🇨🇿 stránka

🇸🇰 strana

🇨🇳 页

🇸🇮 stran

🇮🇸 síða

🇰🇿 бет

🇬🇪 გვერდი

🇦🇿 səhifə

🇲🇽 hoja

Word Frequency Rank

Position #9,485 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.

...
9482 brighter
9483 vigour
9484 degraded
9485 folio
9486 traction
9487 blended
9488 coaches
...