. A N AT O M Y O F L E T T E R F O R M S .
. C O N S T E L L AT I O N .
. CORONA .
Stress of Axis
o
Stress of Axis The inclination suggested by the relationship of thin and thick Stems or Strokes in a character which can be an inclined or vertical Stresses or Axis.
. DELPHINUS .
Terminal
Spine
Terminal Stem or Stroke ending other than a Serif.
Spine The diagonal portion of the Stroke in S.
. CYGNUS .
Joint
Serif
Joint The angle formed where two Strokes meet or intersect, as K or R.
Serif The beginning or end of a Stem or Stroke, Arm, Leg or Tail drawn at a right angle or at an oblique to the Stem or Stroke.
. AU R I G A .
Ascender
Arm
Leg
Ascender The part of a lowercase character above the x-height.
Joint
Arm A projecting horizontal or diagonal Stem or Stroke.
Serif Leg A projecting diagonal Stem or Stroke extending downward; sometimes called a Tail.
. PEGASUS .
Hairline
Hairline The thinner part of a curved Stroke, usually located on the Stress of Axis.
. CAPRICORNUS .
Bowl
Bowl A curved Stroke enclosing a Counter.
. DRACO .
Counter
Tail
Counter An area enclosed by a Bowl or a Crossbar.
Tail The short Stem or Stroke that rests on a baseline, as in a K or R; or extending below a baseline, as in a Q or j. In a K and R, also known as a leg.
. AQVILA.ANTINOUS . Beak
Stem or Stroke
Cross-stroke or Bar
Brackets or Fillets
Beak A vertical or oblique Serif that termicates a horizontal Stem or Stroke.
Stem or Stroke The principal vertical or oblique element(s) of a character, as in an A,B, L or V; except for curved characters where they are called Strokes.
Cross-stroke or Bar Horizontal element crossing a Stem or Stroke.
Brackets or Fillets The join between a Serif and a Stem or Stroke.
. ANDROMEDA .
Spur
Spur A small, pointed projection from a Stem or Stroke, such as those found on G or t.
. CASSIOPEIA .
Apex
Cross-stroke or Bar
Apex The point where two diagonal Stem or Strokes meet.
Cross-stroke or Bar Horizontal element crossing a Stem or Stroke.
. VIRGO .
Cap height
X-height
Baseline
Cap height The distance from a baseline to the top of a capital character.
X-height The distance from the baseline to the top of lowercase x.
Baseline A line on which the bottom of characters without descenders sit or align.
H
. CANIS MAJOR .
Ear
Link
Loop
Ear The small Stroke attached to the Bowl of g.
Link The Stroke which connects the Bowl and the Loop of g.
Loop The Descender of g then it is entirely enclosed (otherwise it is a tail).