Definitions. A solide or body is that which hath length, breadth, and thicknes,* 1.1 and the terme or limite of a solide is a superficies.
There are three kindes of continuall quantitie, a line, a superficies, and a solide or body: the begin∣ning of all which (as before hath bene sayd) is a poynt, which is indiuisible. Two of these quantities, namely, a line and a superficies, were defined of Euclide before in his first booke. But the third kinde, namely, a solide or body he there defined not, as a thing which pertayned not then to his purpose: but here in this place he setteth the definitiō therof, as that which chiefely now pertayneth to his purpose, and without which nothing in these thinges can profitably be taught. A solide (sayth he) is that which hath lēgth, breadth, and thicknes, or depth. There are (as before hath bene taught) three reasons or meanes of measuring, which are called cōmonly dimensions, namely, l••ngth, breadth, and thicknes. These di∣mensions are ascribed vnto quantities onely. By these are all kindes of quantitie de••ined, •••• are counted perfect or imperfect, according as they are pertaker of fewer or more of them. As Euclide defined a line, ascribing vnto it onely one of these dimensions, namely, length: Wherefore a line is the imperfectest kinde of quantitie. In defining of a superficies, he ascribed vnto it two dimensions, namely, length, and breadth: whereby a superficies is a quantitie of greater perfection then is a line, but here in the defini∣tiō of a solide or body. Euclide attributeth vnto it all the three dimensiōs, lēgth, breadth, and thicknes. Wherfore a solide is the most perfectest quantitie,* 1.2 which wanteth no dimension at all, passing a lyne by two dimensions, and passing a super••icies by one. This definition of a solide is without any designation of ••orme or figure easily vnderstanded, onely conceiuing in minde, or beholding with the eye a piece of timber or stone, or what matter so euer els, whose dimension•• let be equall or vnequall. For example let the length therof be 5. inches, the breadth 4. and the thicknes 2. if the dimensions were equall, the reason is like, and all one, as it is in a Sphere and in •• cube. For in that respect and consideration onely, that it is long, broade, and thicke, it beareth the name of a solide or body, ••nd hath the nature and pro∣perties therof. There is added to the end•• of the definition of a solide, that the terme and limite of a so∣lide ••s a superficies. Of thinges infinitie there i•• no Arte or Scien••e. All quantities therfore in this Arte entreated of, are imagined to be finite,* 1.3 and to haue their endes and borders as hath bene shewed in the first booke, that the limites and endes of a line are pointes, and the limites or borders of a superficies are lines, so now he saith tha•• the endes, limites, or borders of a solide•• are superficieces. As the side of any ••quare piece of timber, or of a table, or die, or any other lik••, are the termes and limites of them.