The KernProse Letterform Parts Glossary Chart
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ARM | A horizontal stroke |
|---|---|---|
| ASCENDER | The extended stem of b, d, f, h, k and l
|
|
| BAR | The cross stroke of the e, f, t, A, H and T | |
| BOWL | A curved stroke enclosing an area (however, the lower part of the g, which can be either open or closed, is called the “tail”) | |
| COUNTER | The area enclosed by a bowl or by the closed tail of a g, or the bar of the A | |
DESCENDER
|
The extended stem of the p or q and the tails (except in the case of an R) | |
EAR
|
The small stroke to the right of the bowl of the g | |
| LINK | A stroke joining two letters. Also the middle stroke of a g joining the bowl to the tail, and the stroke joining the separated tail of a Q to the bowl | |
SERIF |
A small cross stroke ending that main stroke. Serifs may be either single (on one side only) or double (on both sides) | |
| SHOULDER | The curved stroke springing from the stems of the a, f, h, m, n and r | |
SPUR
|
The small projection, usually pointed, from a stroke or a terminal |
|
| STEM | A vertical stroke | |
| SWASH | A decorative version of a letter with added flourishes or an alternative letterform | |
| TAIL | The parts of the letter that fall below the baseline of a g, j, y, J or Q. The term is also used for the diagonal of an R | |
| TERMINAL | Stroke endings other than serifs, often bulbous, pointed, or sheared — sometimes cupped or hooked. |
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