Anatomy of Letterforms and Constellation

. 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).