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thickness

cosmasad

Member
The words for measurement are length, width and thickness. In Greek they are Μήκος, Πλάτος και Πάχος right? There are no others right? If you want to specify the dimensions of a picture frame, though, or a painting, you would want to say length, height and thickness. Would you use Πλάτος for height? :oops:

And regarding thickness, if you are talking about a sheet of metal, or a piece of glass, would you specify its "πάχος"?

Thanking you in advance.
 

daeman

Administrator
Staff member
length = μήκος
width = πλάτος
thickness = πάχος
height = ύψος
 

cosmasad

Member
Thank you, daeman. I'm still a little confused, though, particularly with when to use "πλάτος".

If an object has only 2 dimensions like a photograph, or an image projected on a screeen, would you say "μήκος" for the horizontal dimension from side to side, and "πλάτος" for the other dimension or would you use "υψος"?
 

daeman

Administrator
Staff member
In 2D (or 3D) it mostly depends on how one sees the object:
others see height, particularly (and commonly) when the object is taller rather than wider, e.g. a portrait photo (vertical viewpoint), while others see length, particularly when the object is horizontally long and vertically short (horizontal viewpoint).

Generally, that is, but there is indeed variety and variations, depending on the object, the viewpoint, and the measurement circumstances and intended use. The same goes for English, I think.

Anyway, outside of a scientific context (or a technical one) where dimensions and directions are exactly defined and standardized, in general use it often is a matter of contention and a source of confusion.
 
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