WD: Definitions of Typesetting Terms in Word

• Microsoft Word 98 Macintosh Edition
• Microsoft Word 97 for Windows
• Microsoft Word for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
• Microsoft Word for Windows, version 1.0, 1.1, 1.1a, 2.0, 2.0a 2.0a-CD, 2.0b 2.0c, 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c
• Microsoft Word for the Macintosh, versions 3.x, 4.0, 5.x, 6.0

SUMMARY

The following is a list of terms commonly used in typesetting:

ASCENDER-       The portion of a lowercase letter that rises above the
                main body (ex. b, d, and h).

BASELINE-       The imaginary line on which letters in a line of text
                rests.

DESCENDER-      The portion of a lowercase letter that hangs below its
                main body (e.g. g and p).

EM-             A unit of measure equal to the point size of the type
                in use (e.g. a 12 point em is 12 points wide).

FONT-           The complete assortment of characters in one typeface.

KERN-           To adjust the spacing between letters, usually to move
                them closer together.

LEADING-        (pronounced ledding) In composition, the distance
                between lines of type measured in points.


LINE SPACING-   The amount of vertical spacing, expressed in points,
                from the baseline of one line of text, to the baseline
                of the next line.

MEAN LINE-      The imaginary line on which the top parts of most of the
                lowercase letters set (not the ascenders).

PICA-           One-sixth of an inch. A pica equals 12 points.

POINTS-         Standard unit of measure for type that is approximately
                equal to 1/72".

SANS SERIF-     A font that does not have serifs (e.g. Helvetica,
                Modern). See Serif.

SERIF-          Fonts that have accents at the end of character strokes.
                (e.g. Times, Roman)

X-HEIGHT-       The distance between the baseline and the mean line.

MORE INFORMATION

The following diagram illustrates the positions of some of the above terms:

                                                              __
                XXXX       X -- Ascender                         |
               X    X      X                                     |
 mean line_____XXXXXX______XXXX_______X___X__ _                  |
               X    X      X   X      X   X    | x-height        | Point
 base line_____X____X______X___X_______XXXX__ _| (mean to base)  | Size
                                         X                      |
                                     XXXX  -- Descender       __|