n.an international
standard size of paper measuring approximately 21 x 29.7 centimeters or 8 1/4 x 11 3/4 inches. "A" is an
arbitrary designation for a
series of
standard paper sizes, ranging from A0 to A6. The
series is based on a large rectangular piece of paper called "A0," which is 1
square meter in
area (84.1 x 118.9
cm or 33 1/8 x 46 3/4 in). This piece of paper is
cut in half to
produce A1, A1 is
cut in half to
produce A2, and so on (see illustration). All sheets in this
series have the same rectangular shape and one-half the surface
area of the next size larger. The
main use of the A
series of paper is for writing paper, books and
magazines, etc. There is also a B
series for posters and C for envelopes.