noun Common

Fe

Quiz me More like this

Fe (noun) means a librarians' size code for a book roughly 7.5 to 10 cm tall — one forty-eighth of a standard printing sheet. Example: “The catalogue listed the pocket edition as an "fe" — barely bigger than a matchbox.”

noun

A librarians' size code for a book roughly 7.5 to 10 cm tall — one forty-eighth of a standard printing sheet.

"The catalogue listed the pocket edition as an "fe" — barely bigger than a matchbox."

How to use Fe

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA technical library/publishing size label for a very small book, not a word you'll hear in conversation.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with the chemical symbol Fe for iron — different field, different capitalisation convention entirely.

Vocabulary Flow

Build your vocabulary from words like Fe.

Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.

Start vocabulary practice

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: Fes

Test yourself on “Fe” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The catalogue listed the pocket edition as an "_____" — barely bigger than a matchbox.

Etymology

Short for "forty-eighth," referring to a book cut from one forty-eighth of a full printer's sheet — the smallest standard sizing code.

Synonyms

View more →

forty-eightmo 48mo iron

Related words

technology iron gat

Frequently asked questions

What does “Fe” mean?

The word “Fe” means a librarians' size code for a book roughly 7.5 to 10 cm tall — one forty-eighth of a standard printing sheet. In plain terms, a technical library/publishing size label for a very small book, not a word you'll hear in conversation.

How do you use “Fe” in a sentence?

Here is “Fe” used in a sentence: “The catalogue listed the pocket edition as an "fe" — barely bigger than a matchbox.”

What part of speech is “Fe”?

“Fe” is a noun.

Is “Fe” a common word?

“Fe” is a fairly common word in modern English.

What is the difference between 'Fe' as a book size and 'Fe' as a chemical symbol?

In librarianship, 'Fe' is a size code for a small book roughly 7.5 to 10 cm tall. Separately, 'Fe' is the chemical symbol for iron; the two abbreviations are unrelated.

How big is a book with the size code 'Fe'?

A book marked 'Fe' stands roughly 7.5 to 10 centimetres tall. This makes it one of the smaller book formats, equal to one forty-eighth of a standard printing sheet.

What does the book size 'Fe' stand for?

'Fe' is the librarians' code for the forty-eightmo format, a book made by folding a printing sheet into forty-eight leaves. The result is a very small volume about 7.5 to 10 cm tall.

Is 'Fe' a large or a small book size?

'Fe' denotes a small book format, roughly 7.5 to 10 cm tall and equal to one forty-eighth of a standard printing sheet. It is among the smaller sizes libraries catalogue.

People also searched

technology iron gat