black letter
Preserved but no longer current.
The Gothic or German type which, in the early days of printing, was the type in commonest use. The term came into use about 1600, because of its heavy, black appearance in comparison with roman type.
Era: ca. 1898 (Victorian)
Sources & notes
Reproduced from Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898 edition, public domain; archive.org, retrieved 2026-07-31; OCR text, minor errors possible). Reflects the scholarship and attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “black letter” mean?
The Gothic or German type which, in the early days of printing, was the type in commonest use. The term came into use about 1600, because of its heavy, black appearance in comparison with roman type.
Is “black letter” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.