Definition: A standard unit of measurement found primarily in newspaper publishing, an agate is approximately equal to 5 1/2 points or 1/14 of an inch or 1.814 millimeters.
The very small type used for statistical data in the sports and stock sections of a newspaper is agate type. Agate is also the unit of measure used to calculate a column inch in advertising.
Outside of typography, agate is a rock and gemstone that is the Tennessee State Rock. It is often used to make mortar and pestles.
