black letter

Meanings

1. A highly calligraphic Western European script style used from approximately 1150.
2. A Northern European style of type based on the script, with contrasting thick-and-thin, angular strokes forming upright letterforms, and usually set with a dark typographic colour on the page.
3. Text set in black-letter type.
4. The basic standard elements for a particular field of law, which are generally known and free from doubt or dispute.