Chapter 3 No.3

Terminology.

In order to render the description of a writing perfectly clear, a system of terminology is adopted which is invariable. That is, the same terms are always employed in indicating the same parts of a letter. These are simple, and for the most part self-explanatory, so that no effort is required to commit them to memory.

Every part of a letter has a distinctive name, so that it would be possible to reproduce a script character very closely by a verbal description.

The following are the terms used in describing a letter:-

Letter means the whole of any script character, capital or small. For the sake of brevity in notes and reports capital is written Cp.; small, Sm.

Arc.-An arc is the curve formed inside the top loop or curve, as in f, m, h, o. In o, the inside top half of the letter is the arc; the inside bottom half is the hook.

Buckle.-The buckle is the separate stroke added to such letters as k, f, and capitals A, F, H.

Beard.-The beard is the preliminary stroke that often appears in capital letters.

Body.-The body of a letter is that portion of it which rests on the line and could be contained in a small circle. For example, in a small d the body consists of the circle and the final upward curve or toe. In a small g the body is the circle minus the tail.

Eye is the small circle formed by the continuation of a stroke as in the shoulder r.

Finals.-A final is the finishing stroke not carried beyond the shank in capitals, and in a few smalls like y, g, z.

Foot.-The foot of a letter is that portion of it that rests on the line. Small m has three feet, h has two, etc.

Hook.-The hook is the inside of a bottom curve. It is the opposite of the arc.

Link.-The link is that portion of the stroke which connects two letters.

Broken link.-A broken link is a disconnection in the link joining two letters.

Loop.-A loop is that portion of a letter which forms the top or tail. Unlooped tops and tails are called "barred." For example, small f has two loops, top and bottom; f, h, l have one top loop; g, y, z have one bottom loop.

Shank.-The shank of a letter is the principal long downstroke that forms the backbone.

Shoulder.-The shoulder is the outside of the top of the curve as seen in small m, n, o, h. Small m has three shoulders, n two, h one.

Spur.-The spur is to the small letter what the beard is to the capital. It is the initial stroke.

Tick.-A tick is a small stroke generally at the beginning of a letter, sometimes at the end.

Toe.-The toe is the concluding upward stroke of a letter, as seen in small e, n, h, &c.

Whirl.-The whirl is the upstroke in all looped letters. It is a continuation of the spur in b, h, f, l, and is always an upstroke.

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