thick space

== English == === Etymology === From thick +‎ space. First use appears c. 1683 in the writings of Joseph Moxon. === Noun === thick space (plural thick spaces) (letterpress typography) A metal block used to separate words, one third of an em in width. Synonyms: 3-to-the-em space, 3-em space Coordinate terms: thin space; em space, en space, word space (typography) In digital text, a character representing a thick space. Synonyms: 3-to-the-em space, 3-em space Coordinate terms: thin space; em space, en space, no-break space, word space, zero-width space