Lessons in Typography: Must-know typographic principles presented through lessons, exercises, and examples

Glossary

Note: The definitions provided here are given within the sense of how these terms are used within this book.

Ampersand

A symbol that stands for the word and.

Arm

The horizontal or diagonal stroke of a character that does not connect to another stroke at one or both ends.

Ascender

The vertical stroke of some lowercase letters that extends above the typeface’s x-height line.

Baseline

The guideline upon which a typeface’s characters sit.

Blackletter

A style of typefaces designed according to the heavy, angular, and condensed calligraphic method of writing prevalent during the 13th through 15th centuries. Also known as Gothic or Old English.

Bowl

The enclosed rounded part(s) of a letter, as seen in characters like the uppercase P and B, ...