typeface

Definition

Letters, numbers, and symbols in consistent type-weight and typestyle that make up a complete set (type family) of a distinctive design of printing type such as Ariel, Helvetica, Times Roman and thousands others. Most typefaces are available in different typestyles (roman, italic, bold, extrabold, condensed, etc.) and are chosen for a particular piece of text on the basis of (1) legibility, (2) readability, (3) appropriateness for the audience and the message, (4) reproducibility, and (5) practicality.