Pronunciation: [lˈuːsɪdə ɡɹˈand] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "Lucida Grande" is pronounced /luːˈsidə ˈɡrændi/. This term is commonly used in computer systems and refers to a sans-serif font that is often used for easy readability of small text on displays. The word "Lucida" comes from Latin, meaning "clear" or "bright." Grande is simply the Italian word for "large." Together, "Lucida Grande" can be translated to "bright and large."
Lucida Grande is a term primarily associated with typography and computer fonts. It refers to a widely used sans-serif typeface that was developed by Charles Bigelow and Kris Holmes. The term "lucida" means "shining" or "bright" in Latin, hinting at the typeface's clarity and legibility on computer screens.
Lucida Grande is known for its clean and modern appearance, with evenly weighted strokes and generous proportions. It is specifically designed to enhance legibility and readability, particularly on digital displays and low-resolution screens. The characters are well-defined and rounded, making it easy to distinguish individual letters and maintain clear visibility even at small sizes.
Initially introduced as the default system font in Mac OS X, Lucida Grande quickly gained popularity and widespread use in various operating systems, web design, and application interfaces. Its versatility and aesthetic appeal make it suitable for a wide range of applications, from body text to headers and user interfaces.
The Lucida Grande typeface is often praised for its exceptional readability, crispness, and scalability. It is highly regarded among designers and typographers for its balance between simplicity and elegance, contributing to its enduring popularity in digital design. With its clean lines and modern appearance, Lucida Grande continues to play a significant role in digital typography and user interface design.
The word "Lucida Grande" has Latin origins and consists of two separate words: "Lucida" and "Grande".
- "Lucida" comes from the Latin word "lucidus", which means "bright" or "clear". It is derived from the verb "lucere", meaning "to shine" or "to be light".
- "Grande" is an Italian word directly borrowed from Latin, where "grandis" means "large" or "great".
The combination "Lucida Grande" can be translated as "bright big" or "clear large". In typography, "Lucida Grande" is the name of a popular sans-serif font developed by Kris Holmes and Charles Bigelow, which became the standard system font for Apple's macOS from 1999 to 2014.
