Vocab: L

Laser
A concentrated light source that can be optically manipulated. Coined from “Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.”

Laser printer.

A computer printer that creates the image by drawing it on a metal drum with a laser. The latent image becomes visible after dry ink particles are electrostatically attracted to it. 

Latin
Type style characterized by triangular, pointed serifs.

Leading
(Pronounced “LED-ing”.) In early typesetting, strips of lead were placed between lines of type to increase the interline spacing, hence the term. See Linespacing, Interline spacing.

Leader.

Typographic dots or periods that are repeated to connect other elements.

Lead-in.

Introductory copy set in a contrasting typeface.

Letterpress.

The process of printing from a raised inked surface

Letter Spacing
See Interletter spacing.

Ligature
A typographic character produced by combining two or more letters.

Line Length
The measure of the length of a line of type,usually expressed in picas.

Line Spacing
The vertical distance between two lines of typemeasured from baseline to baseline. For example, “10/12” indicates 10-point type with 12 points base-to-base (that is, with 2 points of leading). See Leading, Interline spacing.

Linotype
A machine that casts an entire line of raised typeon a single metal slug.

LAN
A network of computers and peripherals, usually in the same office or building, connectedby dedicated electrical cables rather than telephone lines.

Logotype
Two or more type characters that are combined as asign or trademark.

Lower Case
The alphabet set of small letters, as opposed to capitals.

Lpm
Lines per minute, a unit of measure expressing the speedof a typesetting system.

Ludlow
A typecasting machine that produces individual lettersfrom hand-assembled matrices.