Definition of the word lower case

The term "lower case" in typography refers to the smaller, alphabetic characters that appear below the uppercase letters in the English alphabet. It is commonly used to describe the size and style of text that is intended for use in body copy, headings, and other long-form text. The origin of the term "lower case" is traced back to the historic practice of storing typecases containing movable type — the forerunners of modern-day typefaces — in wooden boxes. The uppercase letters were kept in larger compartments (or "cases"), while the smaller letters were stored in the lower compartments. This storage method, known as the case system, facilitated easy access to the commonly used uppercase letters while leaving the less frequently used lowercase letters in the lower compartments. The term "lower case" has since been adopted as a useful shorthand for describing the size and style of text intended for use in these smaller compartments. In typography, the term "lower case" is also used to distinguish the size and style of text from capitals, which are used primarily for headings, initial capital letters, and proper nouns. This distinction enables designers to ensure that text is both legible and aesthetically pleasing, enhancing overall visual appeal and readability in a wide range of content types.