plural octavos
: the size of a piece of paper cut eight from a sheet
also : a book, a page, or paper of this size

Word History

Etymology

Latin, ablative of octavus eighth

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of octavo was in 1582

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Octavo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/octavo. Accessed 11 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

plural octavos
: a book made up of sheets of paper that have been folded to produce eight leaves
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