A Glossary of Publishing Terms (B-C)

- B -

backbone:

The primary connectivity mechanism of a hierarchical distributed system. All systems that have connectivity to an intermediate system on the backbone are assured of connectivity to each other. This does not prevent systems from setting up private arrangements with each other to bypass the backbone for reasons of cost, performance, or security. It's a high-speed network that connects several powerful computers. In the U.S., the backbone of the Internet is often considered the SFNet, a government funded link between a handful of supercomputer sites across the nation. See multicast backbone, I2, website, internet.

back formation:

The analogical creation of one word from another word that appears to be a derived or inflected form of the first by dropping the apparent affix or by modification (eg: typewrite, enthuse, kudo, sightsee, sleaze); as distinguished from 'retronym', being formed to identify a former type or class which has since been subcategorized or reclassified (eg: rotary telephone, electric torch, automatic transmission, male nurse). See word, vocabulary, language.

background:

The perceived foundation for depictions of foreground objects and forms; see wallpaper, tessellate, template, overprint, transparent palette. Also, multitasking computers are capable of executing several tasks, or programs, at the same time. In some multitasking systems, the process of primary activity is called the foreground process, and the others are called background processes. The foreground process is the one that accepts input from the keyboard, mouse, or other input device. Background processes cannot accept interactive input from a user, but they can access disk data, up- or download stored data, print ("print spooling") or disseminate documents, and write data to the video display. Background processes generally have a lower priority than foreground processes so that they do not interfere with interactive applications. Even MS-DOS, which is not a multitasking operating system, can perform some specialized tasks, such as printing, in the background. Operating environments, such as Macintosh and Microsoft Windows, provide a more general multitasking environment. See multitasking, TSR, shell, hot-key.

backhand:

Letters angled left, or slanted the opposite of Italics (ITAL) characters; also called "backslant".

backing:

In binding, the process of applying glue to the rounded back of a book prior to affixing a strip of gauzy fabric (ie: crash or super), and followed by a strip of brown-paper liner, before casing-in; also called "back-lining". Mesh and paper backings reinforce the glue, and holds the sewn sections together firmly. Crash may be applied to inexpensive editions without liner, or vice versa. See binding.

back issue:

Any issue of a periodical published prior to the current issue, usually shelved separately in bound volumes or converted to microform (qv); also called "back number". See volume number, periodical.

backlist:

Books published previous to the current season that are still in print. Some backlist books continue to sell in significant numbers years after publication, such as books that are used in classrooms. Others may sit in a warehouse for years, only to start selling again when the writer's reputation grows. And yet others sit in a warehouse until remaindered, sold to the author at/or below cost, or are recycled, or pulped. Many independent publishers have a commitment to keeping their books in print, while commercial publishers pulp books as a regular practice. Traditionally, the strength of a publisher's backlist is the indicator of both editorial and commercial success. The backlist records how well a press has developed a coherent program and philosophy for presenting books and authors to the public cumulatively, and it functions also as a descriptive publishing history of that press. In the past, the backlist served almost as an endowment for a publisher and signing an author was seen as a longterm investment. Today, commercial publishing is putting books out of print at a very fast rate, and their former backlists are often a rich source for independent publishers's rediscoveries of high quality books to reprint. With the advent of e-books and print-on-demand, this editorial strategy may no longer be an option for independent publishers. See frontlist, midlist, deadlist, out of print.

back matter:

Printed ancillary material, positioned at the back of a book, after the body copy, including addendum, appendix, epilogue, envoy, coda, afterword, eulogy, colophon, bibliography, endnote, glossary, index, and other related material. See end sign, pagination, concordance, erratum, corrigenda; compare front matter.

backslash:

A short oblique stroke (\) used in the path of some computer operating systems to mark the hierarchical division between a directory and a subdirectory; as introduced by MS-DOS version 2 as differentiation from switches. See slash, path, parameter, filename, pipe, internet address.

backtrack:

The back-to-back joining of two pages, printed or embossed only on their face, in order to form a single double-sided sheet; see duplex paper, paper. Also, a stochastic search performed by a computer's troubleshooting subroutine.

backup:

Printing on one side of a page that must align correctly with printing on the other side. See page spread.

balance:

The design principle, achieved through the placement of type and graphic elements, that one side of a layout must be given weight equal to the other. See layout, contrast, sequence.

balderdash:

Nonsense writing; senseless or exaggerated talk, as similar to piffle, twaddle, blather, drivel, humbug, flummery, gibberish, inanity, gobbledygook, rigmarole, flapdoodle. See euphemism, puffery, pap, ad diction, pleonasm, boilerplate, vernacular, screed, sleazy, prolixity, Greek type, rhetorical forms, language. [nb: "Jabberwocky", a poem in the book "Through the Looking Glass" by Louis Carroll (1871), coined this term for senseless or nonsense writing] [v: amphigory; cf: billingsgate, hieratic]

balloon:

A bubble of text or encircled copy in an illustration, used especially in cartoons. See caption.

ballpoint:

A pen in which the penpoint is a fine ball bearing that rotates against a supply of semisolid ink in a cartridge; also called "ballpoint pen", and sometimes known as "biro", as a generic extension of the trademarked brandname. See pen, writing instrument. [nb: In 1888, John Loud patented the idea for a rolling ball-bearing tip that dispensed ink from a reservoir by gravity that would be used for marking leather. None of the hundreds of subsequent ballpoint pen patents were successful until the 1935 prototypes by Hungarians Ladislas and Georg Biro; who patented a functional version during June 1943 in Paris that was used by WW2 Allied aircrews. In 1944, the Biro ballpoint was improved with "capillary action" ink flow and a textured ball-bearing for smoother application. Biro ballpoint manufacturing rights were acquired by Eberhard Faber Company and Eversharp Company; but Milton Reynolds copied the Biro ballpoint for successful marketing through "Gimbels" department store in 1945. A French manufacturer of penholders and pen cases, named Marcel Bich, paid Biro a patent royalty and analyzed competing pens. In 1952, the "Ballpoint Bic" (also barrel marked "Biro") was introduced as a better pen at a lower price with substantial advertising by Bich. An independent effort by Patrick J. Frawley Jr, with an improved ink formula from Fran Seech, founded the Frawley Pen Company in 1949 to produce the "PaperMate" ballpoint pen. By the following year, Frawley innovated the "PaperMate" with a retractable penpoint and non-smearing ink.]

ballyhoo:

Blatant and insistent advertising or publicity, as vigorous hawking; a brouhaha, hullabaloo, clamor, hue, outcry, turmoil, or tumult. See advertising, puffery, pap, news; compare crier, balderdash.

band:

A line or separation in the presentation of an image; see drop out. Also, a strip or stripe of color; see illustration. Also, a track or channel, as audio segment or computer memory.

banderole/banderol:

A narrow scroll (qv), usually bearing an inscription. See cartouche, artifact.

bandwidth:

The amount of data that can be sent through a network connection, which is typically expressed in terms of the network speed (eg: 1 Mbps/1 megabit-per-second). A greater bandwidth indicates the ability to transmit a greater amount of data over a given period of time. When several devices divide the network's data transmission capacity, the resultant "shared bandwidth" speed availability is reduced by the number of devices actively using the network. The logical entities that control the flow of multimedia packets between endpoints are called "bandwidth gates". Also, the range of transmission frequencies a network can use, which is expressed as the difference between the highest and lowest frequencies (ie: Hertz or cycles per second) of a transmission channel. See web server, virtual server, website, internet.

bang:

Printer's, compositor's, and computer programmer's slang for the exclamation point (qv). See interrobang, tittle.

bank:

A lightweight writing paper. See paper.

banner:

A large bold-faced headline, often placed near the top of the page. Also, a prominent band, bar, or streamer of advertising copy. See streamer, screamer, broadside, leaflet, handbill, black space, puffery, copywriter; compare RDA.

barbarian:

A person belonging to a culture different from one's own, usually regarded as primitive or uncivilized due to their ignorance of or nonconformity with classical standards; any outsider or non-native, especially a philistine. Derived from the discordant sound of foreign languages, originally non-Greek and later non-Roman. [v: heathen, jingoism, xenophobia]

bar code/barcode:

A series of contiguous lines, varying in height (as postal codes) or in width (as in product codes), for scanning by optical character readers, with applications to price, inventory, stock or part identification. See coding, UPC, EAN Bookland bar code, EPC, smart tag.

base artwork:

Artwork requiring additional components, such as halftones or line drawings, before the reproduction stage.

baseline:

The reference line upon which x-height and capital letters sit, and below which descenders fall. See cap line, mean line, x-line, x-height, ascender, descender, body size, expanded type, set size, font, typeface, baseline lock. Also, a basic standard or specific value serving as a comparison or control.

baseline lock:

Consistent typographic alignment of all body copy (eg: column, caption, call-out, text box, heading, etc) to the same baseline (qv), regardless of font, point size, or leading; also called "locked to baseline". A baseline lock ties the text to the grid structure, but does not affect illustrations.

basement:

The lower portion or bottom half of the sheet on the front-page of a newspaper (qv); being the area "below the fold" reserved for less important stories. See foot, attic.

BASIC:

The abbreviation for Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code, being a high-level programming language that uses English words, punctuation marks, and algebraic notation. See language.

basic size:

The standard size of sheets of paper used to calculate basis weight (qv) in the U.S. and Canada, irrespective of the wide variety of commercial sizes produced for different types. The standardized basic size of bond/writing paper is 17" X 22", of text/book paper is 25" X 38", of cover stock is 20" X 26", and of Bristol board is 22.5" X 28.5". Compare ISO sizes; see CWT, paper.

basis weight:

In the U.S. and Canada, the weight, in pounds, of a ream (500 sheets) of paper cut to the basic size (qv) [eg: 20# bond = 60# offset]; also called the "ream weight" and "substance weight" (sub wt). In countries using ISO paper sizes, the weight, in grams, of one square meter of paper; also called grammage and "ream weight". See CWT, paper.

batch file:

A computer text subroutine that contains operating system commands and parameters for sequential execution; also called "batch program" or "batch processing". Keyword such as CALL and SET, IF and GOTO, PAUSE and CHOICE, FOR and ECHO, supplement the commands, switches, and parameters. Despite the fact that their file extensions make them discrete, a microprocessor (eg: command.com) will always run a [SAME].COM file before a [SAME].EXE file, and both before a [SAME].BAT file; so a batch file with a name already used by another executable file will never run, regardless of its contents. See script, macro.

bathos:

An anticlimax, as insincere sentimentality, or a ludicrous descent from the exalted or lofty to the commonplace. Also, triteness or triviality in style; derived "depth". Compare pathos; see melodrama, comedy, revue, drama.

baud rate:

The unit of measure representing the speed of signaling or data transfer, equal to the number of pulses or bits per second, also called "baud"; eponymous derivation after J.M.E. Baudot. See modem.

BBS:

The abbreviation for Bulletin Board System, being a computer system equipped with one or more modems that serves as an information and message-passing center for dial-up users. See kiosk, forum, newsgroup, UseNet, honeypot, banner.

bed:

The flat surface in a printing press on which the form of type is laid; compare platen, see press. Also, a foundation, base, underlayment, or fundamental.

belles-lettres:

Literature that is polished, elegant, and often inconsequential in subject or scope. [v: belletristic, billet-doux]

Ben Day/benday:

An eponymous technique used in photoengraving to produce shading, texture, or tone by means of a patterned screen. See illustration. [cf: Zipatone]

benefactor:

A person who makes a bequest or endowment, as to an institution or non-profit organization; a philanthropic patron of the arts who funds, wholly or in part, some literary magazines and small presses. Also known as a "sponsor" or "backer". See business angel, white knight, grant, venture capital, entrepreneurship, budget.

bento storage/bento container:

A data storage and specification method developed by Apple Computer in 1993 for the efficient grouping of several types of data (eg: audio-video, database, graphics, publication, text) on a related topic into a single resource capsule or container, which can be moved as a unit. The term refers to a compartmentalized lunchbox (Japanese "bento"). See RAM, ROM, flash memory.

Benton pantograph:

A mechanical tracing device developed by Morris Fuller Benton which could modify a letterform design for optical scaling considerations. Many different adjustments on various design parameters (ie: stroke width, x-height, advance width, ascender height, cap height, etc) could be automatically "dialed in" during the tracing procedure. See pantograph, hint.

BeOS:

The Be Operating System was designed by Jean-Louis Gasse of Be Incorporated for interface with Intel Pentium and PowerPC chips in microcomputers. The operating system has complete multithreading, a 64-bit file system, object-oriented design, native internet appliance (BeIA) services, and Unicode-compliancy. BeOS is the first new operating system with a graphical user interface (GUI) design since 1986; and it is currently the only operating system with a graphical user interface which can run on both Intel/IBM PC-compatible and Macintosh hardware. Be Inc. was purchased in mid-2001 by Palm Computing, the pioneering manufacturer of handheld Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) products. See program, software.

bestseller:

A book that, among those of its class, sells very well at any given time, as any impressive or influential work with popular appeal and financial success; also called "blockbuster". See instant book, book. [nb: "The worth of a book is to be measured by what you can carry away from it." by James Bryce]

beta test:

The final test of a computer product prior to commercial release. The beta version is normally sent to test sites outside the company for real-world exposure. After debugging the beta test results, the final product will be manufactured and released to the general public. Compare alpha test, vaporware; see patch, glitch, kludge, debug, tweak.

Bezier curve/B‚zier curve:

A mathematically formulated curve made from a line that is set-up to connect two anchor or end-points, with the line shape influenced by the torquing of intermediate tangent or control points. In computer drawing programs, curves are made by moving on-screen "handles" to adjust the curve's shape. A Bezier curve so formed will automatically scale proportionately. The similarity of this process to a mechanical spline warrants it also being called "Bezier spline"; eponymous derivation after French mathematician Pierre B‚zier. See vector graphics.

BF:

Abbreviation for "set in boldface type"; see proofreader's marks. [nb: the SGML "bold" tag was replaced in HTML by "strong"]

bible paper:

Very thin, opaque paper used for products such as bibles and dictionaries; also called "India paper". See paper.

bibliography:

A complete or selective list of works compiled upon some common principle, as authorship, subject, or printer. Also, a list of source materials that are used or consulted in the preparation of a work, or that are referred to in the text. Also, the discipline that deals with the physical description, comparison, and classification of books and other printed matter. See book categorization, back matter, reference marks.

bibliopole:

A bookseller, especially a dealer in used or rare books, with a bibliophilic, bibliomaniacal, and bibliolatristic clientele; also called "bibliopolist", as derived from "book + agent".

bildungsroman:

A novel dealing with the education and development of its protagonist; see literature.

bill:

A written or printed public notice or advertisement; see handbill, leaflet, fly sheet, broadside, poster, advertising. Also, any written statement of particulars, as of legislation, transactions, or the like. Also, the program or schedule of an entertainment or production to be presented, as a "playbill" or other menu.

BIND:

Acronym for Berkeley Internet Name Daemon; being an open-source domain name server conversion. See DNS, domain name.

bindery:

A place where printed matter is bound; a binding shop, bibliopegy. See bookbindery, trim, finish, post-press.

bind-in:

An attachment or enclosure, as a supplement or advertisement, that is secured into the publication's binding, usually for later removal; also called "stitch-in". See blow-in card.

binding:

The method and/or mechanism by which the contents and covers of a publication are stabilized and secured; see quarter binding, half binding, three-quarter binding, perfect binding, burst binding, lay-flat bind, spiral-bound, coil binding, comb binding, paperback, case binding, hardcover, split edition, saddle-stitch binding, side-stitch binding, screw-and-post bind, fan, selective binding, spine, headband, guard, backing, crash; compare quire, gather, imposition, nested, fold lines, signature, sheet, flyleaf, loose-leaf, end sheet, endpaper, tip, fascicle, overhang, cut flush, cover paper, accordian-fold, concertina-fold, boustrophedon, jacket, volume, trade edition, cameo binding, treasure binding, bindery, bookbindery, nipping, bookbinder's press.

binding edge:

The inside edge of the magazine page, containing the fold and the stitches.

bit:

A single, basic unit of computer information, valued at either 0 or 1, to signal binary alternatives; as derived from "binary + digit". Compare pixel, analog, quantum; see byte.

bitbucket/bit-bucket:

Alliterative slang for the hypothetical location where software is discarded, as a trash can or recycle bin; also called "digital disposal". See boneyard, waste. [nb: "dump" as a data download or place of storage is an inappropriate substitute for this reference]

bite:

A short excerpt, fragment, clip, or bit; as a visual bite from film, or word bites from poems. Compare sound-bite; see ear, snippet, blurb, squib, filler, paragraph, call-out, box, sidebar, epigraph, contents. Also, the amount of margin or border required for a gripper edge (qv).

bitload/bit load:

The delay or confinement of data download, as a bandwidth bottleneck on the "worldwide wait", usually caused by excessive file size and superfluous graphics. Ordinary webpages should be no larger than 150KB, and no single image larger than 50KB. The use of partitions and thumbnails will alleviate transfer overloading. See website.

bitmap/bit-map:

Computer image consisting of pixels or halftone dots. See bitmap graphics.

bitmap graphics/bit-map graphics:

A way of displaying images on a computer screen in which each picture is represented as an array of little squares called pixels. Each pixel is stored in a specific location in memory, and corresponds to one or more bits. The number of bits per pixel determines the number of colors or shades of gray that can be displayed. Bitmap graphics can be created and edited in paint programs or photo editing programs, and can be stored in a number of file formats. Depending on file format, bitmap graphics can sometimes be imported into word processing, page layout, or spreadsheet programs, or incorporated in World Wide Web pages. Bitmapped graphics are not compressed for storage, and are the same as raster format. The bitmap graphics format was developed by Microsoft. See vector graphics, graphics, illustration.

black letter:

A heavy-faced type, in a style like that of the earliest printed books, and of early European hand lettering; also called text and Gothic. See typeface.

black patch:

Material used to mask the window area on a negative image of the artwork prior to stripping-in a halftone. See illustration.

black point:

Reference point, defining the darkest area in an image. See illustration; compare white point.

black space:

The designation for rules and borders, banners and headings, regardless of ink color or decorative density; also called "black matter". Compare white space, gray space; see fillet, tool line, ornament.

blad:

An advanced book information promotional, which usually includes the book's cover, the jacket flap copy, the table of contents, the book's specifications, the book's publication date, with some sample pages placed inside the cover. These are excellent promotional previews for expensive four-color books, and can be sent well ahead of distribution. See advance, press kit.

blade:

A straight edge used for applying or spreading ink during screen printing; see squeegee, serigraphy. Also, a cutting edge used to divide sheets and trim pages; see guillotine cutter.

blade coating:

Method of coating paper that ensures a relatively thick covering and level surface, as compared to film coating; also called "knife coating". Gloss, dull, and matte papers are blade coated. See paper coating.

blank:

Blank pages, as unmarked by printing; see flyleaf. Also, to stamp, press, punch, or cut out of flat stock, as with a die; see emboss.

blanket:

Rubber-coated pad, mounted on a cylinder of an offset press, that receives the inked image from the plate, and transfers it to the surface to be printed by the impression cylinder. See doubling.

blanket cylinder:

The cylinder by which the inked litho plate transfers the image to the paper. The cylinder is covered with a rubber blanket (qv), which prevents contact wear of the litho plate from the paper and impression cylinder.

blanket sheet:

An oversized sheet of newsprint for broadsides and newsletters; derived from "large coverage", figuratively applied in the same manner as 'blanket proposal'. See sheet.

blank verse:

In prosody, unrhymed verse. In English, the term usually means unrhymed iambic pentameter. In classical prosody, rhyme was not used at all; with the introduction of rhyme in the Middle Ages, blank verse disappeared. It was reintroduced in the 16th century, and in England became the standard medium of dramatic poetry, and frequently of epic poetry. Shakespeare's plays, for example, are written mostly in blank verse. Compare free verse; see verse.

bleed:

Printing that extends beyond the crop marks, or runs-off the edges of a page in one or more directions; this process requires printing on larger paper and trimming to size.

blend:

To intermingle smoothly and inseparably, as with colors. Also, a word made by putting together parts of other words (eg: motel, guesstimate, advertorial, insinuendo); compare clip, contraction, compound, glide [v: agglutination]. Also, a sequence or cluster of two or more consonant sounds within a syllable.

blind emboss:

A raised impression made without using ink or foil. See emboss.

block-in:

To sketch the primary motif or main areas of an image prior to the design. See line drawing, scamp, sketch, thumbnail.

block print:

A design printed by means of one or more blocks of wood or metal; also known as "woodcut" or "woodblock", but formally called xylography. Relief printing originated in Third Century China, and later evolved into movable type in both China and Korea. See chiaroscuro, scratchboard, foundry type, hot type, letterpress.

blog:

An online diary or journal, usually on a limited subject (eg: quotes, technology, diet, lifestyle, politics, war, etc) with contributed e-mails and related links; also known as "weblog", as derived from "web+log". Originating with the "What's New?" section of Mosaic, now includes "Gardian Unlimited", "Drudge Report", "Radio UserLand", and others. "Bloggers" contribute to the "blogisphere" by "blogging"... an informal and ephemeral knowledge management database. Although some blogs are autonomous domains, the typical blog is a publicly-accessible webpage on a host net. Compare chatroom, instant messaging, webcast, zine, thread, UseNet, newsgroup, forum.

blow-in cards:

Subscription devices, usually standard size postcards, which are either inserted or bound into a magazine. The card/envelope should have a business reply mechanism and should allow individuals to charge-or be billed for-the subscription. Magazines that do not have the capacity to invoice should select envelopes which allow for the easy return of personal checks. Blow-ins/bind-ins are used predominantly to convert single-copy buyers into subscribers, since a subscription list is a better predictor of quantity; but promotional sales often have very low renewal rates. Although the rate of return is very low for blow-ins/bind-ins, any subscribers garnered by this low cost recruitment are considered to be surplus when compared to the extremely high cost of direct mail solicitation (often not recouped until after three years of subscription). See reply coupon, courtesy envelope, self-mailer, premium.

blow-up:

Slang for an enlargement, most frequently of a graphic image or photograph. See graphics, illustration.

blue law:

Any prohibitive or puritanical law regulating personal conduct or forbids public acts, especially on the Sabbath or other holy days; such as the Communication Decency Act and Comstock laws. See censorship, expurgate, curiosa, pornography. [cf: blue movie]

blueline:

A generic term for pre-press proofs made from a variety of materials having similar appearances, where all colors show as blue images on white paper; such proofs may also be called white print, blueprint, brownline, position proof, silverprint, Dylux, and VanDyke. This printer's mock-up is used to detect errors and make corrections. See proof.

blue-pencil:

To alter, edit, or delete with (or as if with) a blue colored pencil. See red-pencil, proofread.

blurb:

A brief advertisement, notice, endorsement, or excerpted review, as on a book jacket, expressing praise or approbation; coined by F.G. Burgess (ca1910), and also called "cover blurb" or "advance endorsement". See cover lines, banner, teaser, hook, plug, puffery, snippet, call-out, bite, balderdash.

board paper:

General term for paper over 110# index, 80# cover, or 200 gsm that is commonly used for products such as file folders, displays, and postcards; also called "paperboard" or "board". See paper.

body copy:

The contents of the main section of the document, article, or book; compare body text, see gray space, back matter. Also, the principal typeface used throughout the majority of the publication, excluding heads and subheads; see type, font. [nb: coloring text can be an effective stylistic motif, as long as the copy is clear and readable; but coloring individual words and phrases in the body copy (rather than using font attributes) will probably not register accurately when printed, so will detract from the design intent]

body language:

Nonverbal communication through the use of postures, poses, facial expressions, gestures, and other subconscious or unconscious expressions; formally known as "kinesics". See mannerism, sign language, language.

body size:

The standard unit of type size, normally given in points; being the height of the type measured from the top of the tallest ascender to the bottom of the lowest descender. See ascender, descender, x-height, baseline, cap line, minuscule, set size, expanded type, font, typeface.

body stock:

Category of paper used in writing, printing, and photocopying on which the text or main part of a publication is produced, as compared to cover stock. Also called "communication paper" and writing paper. See paper.

body text:

The typed or typeset portion of a page, excluding any headings. Compare body copy; see gray space.

boilerplate:

Syndicated or ready-to-print copy, used especially by weekly newspapers with limited staff. Also, any trite or hackneyed writing. Also, phrases used typically and repeatedly, as in correspondence. Also, the detailed standard wording of a contract, warranty, license, or the like. [nb: Slang allusions to such prate, twaddle, or claptrap are often represented by buzzwords, "blah-blah", flapdoodle, "yaddah-yaddah", "yak-yak", yackety-yack, in lieu of 'and so forth' or 'et cetera'; see notation; compare bunkum @ pap.]

bombproof:

To check and test a print job until it is impeccable; a project without error, flaw, or fault. See proofread, dummy, pre-press, proof.

bond paper:

A superior variety of paper, usually with a high cotton fiber content of 50gsm or more, used especially for stationery; also called "bond" and "business paper". The surface of bond is harder than writing paper, so printing is sharper and clearer. See rag, dual-purpose bond paper, paper.

boneyard:

A collection point or storage place for reusable equipment, props, or devices; as distinguished from a "junkyard" where items are discarded, instead of reused or recycled. See bitbucket, waste.

book:

A long written work, usually printed on sheets of paper bound within covers; see codex, scroll, regional book, bestseller, instant book. Also, the general classification for papers (basic size 25" X 38") used to print books and other textual matter. Also, the industry term for 'magazine' (qv). Also, one of the larger subdivisions of a literary work, usually containing chapters and sections, and contained in one or more volumes (qv). Also, the text, script, or libretto of a play or opera; see opus. [nb: religious materials dominated publishing until 1900, when surpassed by secular productions]

bookbinder's press:

A device for securing the materials to be bound together, and for exerting pressure upon those materials during processing. See nipping, binding.

bookbindery:

An establishment for housing machines and supplies utilized in the binding tradecraft; bibliopegy. See bindery, trim, finish, post-press.

book categorization:

Any bibliographic catalog method or organization system, including classification by: title, author, subject, provenance, edition (ie: binding, reprint), date (ie: copyright, acquisition), publisher, condition (eg: new/used, read/unread), size (ie: width, height, page count), color, etc. Formal categorization of books began with book press or chest numbers. Alphabetization was developed during the Medieval era as a method of categorization within encyclopedias and dictionaries. Libraries and bibliopoles have also used Dewey decimal, LCN, ISBN, and UPC notations. See frontlist, midlist, backlist, deadlist, out of print.

book fair:

A periodic exposition of publications held at an appointed place, in which different exhibitors participate, often with the purpose of buying or selling as an adjunct to market familiarization and related entertainments. The Frankfort Book Fair has attracted bibliopoles and bibliophiles since the Medieval era. Derivation related to festival, feast.

booklet:

A little book, especially one with paper covers. See pamphlet, chapbook, magazine, journal, monograph, brochure, catalog, collateral.

book paper:

Category of paper suitable for books, magazines, catalogs, advertising, and general printing needs. Book paper is divided into uncoated paper (also called offset paper) and coated paper (also called art paper, enamel paper, gloss paper and slick paper). See lightweight paper, paper, paper coating.

bookplate:

A label bearing the owner's name and often a design, for pasting on the front endpaper of a book. See ex libris.

book press:

A large upright case, closet, or cupboard for holding books and other printed matter; also called a "bookcase" or "book chest". See scriptorium, bookstand.

book review:

The section of a magazine or newspaper devoted to the critical analysis of particular books, especially those newly published. References include: "literary Market Place" (LMP), "National Index of Book Publishers". See feature.

bookstand:

A support with a slanted top, for holding an open book at a slight angle, so as to improve textual accessibility; also known as "bookrest", "lectern", "book easel", "podium", "bookrack", or "bookstall". In Medieval libraries, where volumes were commonly chained to their stowage shelf or chest, and where artificial illumination was a hazard to both the collection and the readers, bringing the book nearer to some natural light was crucial; so pivoting podiums, rotating lecterns, and revolving book wheels were devised as essential furniture. See book press, carrel, scriptorium, kiosk.

bookworm/book-worm:

A slang expression for a person whose appetite for reading is voracious, or who prefers reading over most other activities. Also, the larva of a moth or beetle, especially the booklouse, which feeds on books and other printed materials, damaging them by boring small holes through their leaves and bindings.

Boolean algebra:

A system of symbolic logic dealing with the relationship of sets, which is the basis of logic gates and expressions in computers; eponymous derivation after English mathematician George Boole.

Boolean operators:

Any logical operation in which each of the operands and the result take one of two values (eg: "true"/"false"; "circuit on"/"circuit off"); most commonly used in parameter and search expressions. Boolean operators include: AND, NOT, OR, XOR, NEAR, BUT NOT.

border:

A continuous decorative design or line surrounding the page matter or page inset (call-out). See margin, rule, Oxford rule, black space, ornament.

bourgeois:

An 8.5 point type; see font, type.

boustrophedon:

An artistic presentation, either contained in a slipcase or portfolio, in which the page layout wanders like "oxen turning while plowing"; also called "snake" layout. Derived from the ancient practice of reading lines of text in alternating directions. In page layout, rows are separated, but pages are accordian folded in a continuous set. See accordian-fold, concertina-fold, foldout. [cf: Moon Type punctaform]

bowl:

The partially- or completely-curved closed portions of a character, as b/d/e/g/o/p/q. See ear, finial, type, typeface, font, typography.

box:

A section of text marked-off by rules or white space, and presented separately from the body copy or main text, also called "text box"; see call-out, sidebar, bite, ear, inset, mortise, grid box. Also, in graphical user interfaces (GUI), any enclosed area, resembling a window pane on the monitor, such as dialog, alert, or pop-up boxes; however, these boxes cannot generally be moved or resized, even when interactive. Also, slang for a computer or a workstation.

brand/branding:

A mark or impression labeling kind, grade, or make; often synonymous with imprint, signet, or trademark for product consistency and reliability. May be represented as "co-branding" when endorsements or alliances engender dual marketing. Also, a euphemism for attribution or ownership, as a byline, credit line, or show-off; see work for hire.

BRC/BRE:

Abbreviation for Business Reply Card/Envelope; a pre-addressed, prepaid, first-class mailing device that statistically improves the rates of return for renewals, direct mail, and other direct response marketing efforts. The BRE permit may be acquired through the postal service.

breve:

A cup-shaped mark (shallow u) over a vowel to show that it is short, or to indicate a specific pronunciation; see vowel, accent, diacritic. Also, this same mark used to indicate a short or unstressed syllable in prosody; compare macron, see foot. [v: pyrrhic]

brevier:

A 7.6 point type; see font, type.

bricks and clicks/bricks 'n' clicks:

Slang for publishing in both tangible and electronic modes; production in both traditional forms (eg: paper, film, etc) and in cyberspace or ethernet realms.

brightness:

The measure (by densitometer) of light reflected from paper. See illustration.

brilliant:

A 3.5 point type; see font, type.

Bristol board:

A fine smooth pasteboard that is sometimes glazed. See paper.

Bristol paper:

General term referring to paper six points or thicker with basis weight between 90# and 200# (200-500 gsm). Used for products such as index cards, file folders, and displays. See paper.

British quotation:

The logical placement of quotation marks; such that when a complete sentence is quoted within another sentence, it retains its original punctuation. This convention was formerly standard in American usage until newspapers "simplified" the style to save space; but has been retained in literary and scholarly writing. [cf: singular/plural verbs with collective nouns] See Oxford comma, punctuation, stylebook.

broadcast:

To disseminate or spread widely; as to transmit programmed radio or television performances or presentations; derived from "spread + throw", with related coinage 'telecast' ("far + throw") and 'newscast'. People prefer media which reinforces their opinions and conclusions, selecting media by its application to lifestyle, education, entertainment, or career (v: narrowcast). The fact that something is printed or broadcast is sufficient to reassure people's suspicions. Compelled to choose only one medium, most people prefer the passive audiovisual reception of television over the strictures of print; and believe that broadcast news is more unbiased than printed news, even if the text is identical. See medium, webcast, multicast backbone, VSAT, communique, documentary, bully pulpit, commentator, mannerism, dramatis personae, infomercial, wasteland. [nb: the internet has probably influenced public trust, because anything printed was once considered indisputable; but the "unbiased" attribution to the impermanent broadcast media (often owned and operated by the same corporations that publish print) probably has more to do with plastic reportage and absent comparisons]

broadside:

Any printed advertising circular; also called a broadsheet or flier. Originally, a sheet of paper printed on one side only, as for posting or distribution; a virulent form of which was known as the "Black-letter Broadside Ballad". See leaflet, handbill, banner, poster, blanket sheet, panel, news book.

brochure:

A pamphlet or leaflet; derived from "to stitch" a book. See booklet, chapbook, monograph, catalog, collateral.

broke:

Trimmings, defective sheets, and other unprinted paper collected at the mill and from converters and printers. Broke is preconsumer waste that mills recycle back into pulp.

broken carton:

A container, such as a carton of paper or books, from which some of the contents have been sold; also called "less carton".

bromide:

A photographic print made on bromide paper. Also, a trite image, platitudinous saying, or boring person.

bronzing:

A printing effect produced by dusting wet ink with a metallic powder. See paper coating.

browser:

A computer program (such as Explorer, Netscape, Mozilla, Lynx, Cello, Opera, Kermit, or Mosaic) that enables the user to view webpages or other data sets. Web browsers communicate with Web servers via the TCP/IP protocol. The browser sends HTTP/FTP requests to the server, which responds with HTML pages and possibly additional programs in the form of ActiveX controls or Java applets. See frames, validation, website, web server.

B sizes:

ISO paper sizes about 18 percent bigger than A sizes for printing large items such as charts, maps and posters. See paper.

budget:

An itemized estimate of expected income and anticipated expenses for a given period of planned future operations. Items for publishing include: pre-press/prep, printing, post-press/finishing, distribution, solicitation, commissions, salaries, device fees, utility charges, facility lease payments, loan interest payments. Pre-launch financing is the sum spent to test the market's receptivity, and is not recoverable; but launch financing can expect a return for investors after five or more years of successful publication. See venture capital, entrepreneurship, benefactor, marketing plan, sweat equity, appropriation.

bug:

A defect, error, or imperfection, as in computer software. See crash, debug.

bulk:

Thickness of paper relative to its basis weight.

bulking dummy:

A dummy (qv) assembled from the actual paper specified for a printing job; also known as a "rough".

bullet:

A heavy dot or distinctive mark used for calling attention to particular sections of text; as derived from "ball". This design element is often used to setoff listed items ("bullet list"); and such a graphical element automatically highlights the items in an Unordered List (<UL>) configured as an HTML tag. See ornament, dingbat, guillemet, disc, fist, hanging, page marker, font, typeface.

bullpen:

Any crowded or temporary quarters, as the shared commons of a newsroom.

bully pulpit:

The use of an official office or social position to exhort a preferred course or extol a favored perspective, a partisan sermon; such as a newspaper that bullyrags a topic. See news, broadcast, webcast, narrowcast, journalism, disinformation, factoid, counterfactual.

burn:

To expose a printing plate to light. See double burn, gamma, film, illustration.

burnisher:

A friction tool, sometimes spring-loaded to ensure consistent pressure, for making something smooth or lustrous; derived from "polish". Print will not smudge after burnishing. See slur, mezzotint, dry transfer.

burst:

To separate the sheets of a multipart copy, as to distribute or collate; compare jog. Also, to transmit a packet of encoded or compressed data as a unitary signal element; also known as "pulse" or "squirt".

burst binding:

To bind by forcing glue into notches or crenelations along the spines of gathered signatures before affixing a paper cover; also called "burst perfect bind", "notch bind", and "slotted bind". See binding.

bus:

A set of linear hardware circuits under the control of the microprocessor that are used to transfer data among the components of a computer system, which are rated by transfer bits, and are usually expandable. See USB, computer, hardware. [v: ISA, API, EISA, Micro Channel Architecture, IRQ]

business angel:

Slang for private or institutional investors of venture capital, which funding enables high potential businesses with limited security to launch; also called "backer" or "pigeon". The start-ups encumbered by such a debt load are called "captives". If the schedule of incremental disbursements is interrupted due to underachievement or other increased risks, the investment or investor may be known as a "fallen angel", "plucked pigeon", or "dead pigeon". See benefactor, white knight, entrepreneurship, venture, budget.

byline:

The attribution line printed below a book title or story heading that cites the author's name; such attribution may alternatively appear on deck or at the conclusion. See credit line, caption, deck, brand, show-off, autograph, allonym, ghostwriter, plagiarism.

byplay:

A peripheral action or speech simultaneously conducted with the primary or major proceedings, such as performances carried-on outside the central focus of the stage or film. See sidebar, runner, factoid, counterfactual; compare cause celebre.

byte:

A unit of computer memory usually consisting of eight adjacent bits; see nybble; compare analog, quantum. [v: kilobyte/KB, megabyte/MB, gigabyte/GB, terabyte/TB, petabyte/PB, exabyte/EB, zettabyte/ZB, yottabyte/YB; cf: umpteen]

- C -

C/C++:

A powerful high-level computer programming language suited for creating operating systems and complex applications. Designed by Dennis Ritchie at AT&T's Bell Laboratories in the 1970s, the C language was developed to allow UNIX to run on a variety of computers. C is becoming popular as an alternative to assembly language for some uses, and can be compiled into machine language for almost all computers. An object-oriented version of C, called C++, was created by Bjarne Stroustrup at AT&T's Bell Laboratories in 1986. In the C language, "C++" means "add 1 to C". C++ is the basis of the Java language. See Objective C, language.

cacography:

Bad handwriting. Also, poor spelling. Compare orthography, neologism. [nb: "Those people spell best who do not know how to spell." by Benjamin Franklin (as cited in Noah Webster's first dictionary); "I don't have much respect for the intelligence of anyone who can think of only one way to spell a word." by Andrew "Old Hickory" Jackson]

CAD:

The abbreviation for Computer Assisted Drafting/Drawing, being a graphics program for creating orthographic views. See graphics.

calender:

To make the surface of paper smooth by pressing it between rollers during manufacture. See machine glazed, paper coating.

California job case:

Storage container for foundry type (qv), subdivided into 89 compartments arranged by frequency of use. See type case.

caliper:

Thickness of paper or other substrata expressed in thousandths of an inch (mils or points), pages per inch (ppi), thousandths of a millimeter (microns), or pages per centimeter (ppc). See paper.

calligraphy:

The art of beautiful penmanship or fancy writing; a script of high aesthetic value produced chiefly by brush, as prized in Arabic, Indian, Chinese, and Japanese writing. See swash, paraph, stress variant, writing instruments.

call-out:

An excerpt or quotation extracted ("called-out") from a story or essay, and prominently displayed, as a banner or text box, to attract a reader's attention to a significant or salient point in the composition; also known as pull-quote, "pull-line", or "call-up". See blurb, squib, snippet, teaser, sidebar, side note, box, epigraph, bite, ear, mortise, byplay, counterfactual, factoid.

cameo:

A special effect typeface in which the characters are tone reversed. See reverse, outline, knockout, cutout; compare drop out, silhouette.

cameo binding:

A style of bookbinding, also called "plaquette binding", popular in Italy during the Sixteenth Century, in which the center of the boards forming the cover was relief stamped in imitation of a coin or medallion, and was sometimes embellished with ink or foil. Such a centerpiece has been combined with cornerpiece ornamentations. See cartouche, binding.

camera-ready copy:

Mechanicals, photographs, and artworks that are fully prepared for reproduction according to the technical requirements of the printing process being used; also called "photo-ready copy" and "final paste-up".

C&IC/C&1C:

Notation for setting the first letter of each word in capital (qv) or uppercase type. See down style, heading, ALL CAPS, CAP&SC, proofreader's marks; compare U&LC, CAP&LC, LC.

CAP:

Abbreviation for "capitalize lowercase letter"; see ALL CAPS, CAP&:SC, proofreader's marks, compare U&LC, CAP&LC.

CAP&LC:

Notation to set designated letters in CAPitals followed by LowerCase letters. See CAP, ALL CAPS, LC, proofreader's marks.

CAP&SC:

Notation to set designated letters in CAPitals followed by Small-Capitals. See CAP, ALL CAPS, C&IC, OC, small-cap, proofreader's marks.

capital:

A capitalized letter or uppercase type; also called "head letter". See CAP, majuscule, uncial, LC, OC, small-cap, initial, drop-cap, rubric, ALL CAPS, C&IC, down style.

cap line:

An imaginary line at the top of capital letters; with the distance from the cap line to the baseline being the cap size. See body size.

caption:

A title or explanation for an illustration, as in a magazine; see balloon, credit line, underline, byline. Also, a title or heading, as of a chapter or page; see heading, catchline. Also, a title or other words projected onto a movie or television screen; compare crawl, zipper sign, ticker tape. Also, an HTML tag that entitles with a heading. Term derived from "seize" or capture.

captive printer:

Department of an agency, association, or business that does printing for a parent organization; also called "in-house printer" and "in-plant printer".

carbon black:

Any of various finely divided forms of amorphous carbon, used in pigments, in rubber products, and as clarifying or filtering agents. See pigment, ink, dye.

card:

A small framed business advertisement, similar to a calling card, bearing minimal information, arranged in columns or clusters at the back of magazines or newspapers; existing as a listing or announcement of the existence of a particular establishment with its location or contact information. See tombstone, fractional ad, advertising.

cardboard:

A thin, stiff pasteboard, used for signs and boxes. Compare chipboard.

caret:

A mark (^) made in written or printed matter to show the place where something is to be inserted; derived from "there is lacking/wanting". See notation, proofreader's marks.

carload:

A selling unit of paper that may weigh anywhere between 20,000 and 100,000 pounds (9,090 to 45,454 kilos), depending upon which mill or merchant uses the term; which is abbreviated CL.

carrel:

A cubicle, alcove, cell, chamber, stall, compartment, or other enclosure, often containing a desk, partitioned for private study in a library. See scriptorium, bookstand.

carry-over/carry-over line:

The line of editorial notation, inserted at the resumption point or arrival destination of an interrupted presentation to which the reader has been directed. See jump line, jump head, jump article, read through, sequence; compare continue line, page marker, end sign.

carton:

A selling unit of paper weighing approximately 150 pounds (60 kilos). A carton can contain anywhere from 500 to 5,000 sheets, depending on the size of sheets and their basis weight. See broken carton, paper.

cartoon:

A drawing symbolizing, satirizing, or caricaturing some action, subject, or person; including "comic strip" and "animated cartoon". Also, a preliminary pictorial design, as for a fresco or frieze; or a template for tapestry or embroidery. See morph, animation, illustration. [nb: single comics first appeared in American newspapers during the 1870s; first comic strip was "Katzenjammer Kids" by Rudolph Dirks (1897); "A. Mutt" (later "Mutt and Jeff") by H.C. "Bud" Fisher was first six-day-a-week strip (1907); first underground comic ("comix") was "Zap" by Robert Crumb (1967)]

cartouche/cartouch:

A rounded panel, often containing an inscription, decoration, or coat of arms. Also, an ornamental frame with decorative elements in the shape of a scroll, appearing in the corner of a map around an inscription giving the map's title or subject, name of cartographer, scale, and other descriptive information. Also, an oblong figure, as on ancient monuments, enclosing the name of a sovereign. See inscription, banderole, epigram.

cartridge:

A thick general-purpose paper used for printing, drawing, and wrapping. See paper.

case:

Covers and spine that, as a unit, enclose the pages of a casebound book.

case binding:

To bind using glue to hold signatures to a case made of binder board covered with fabric, plastic, or leather; also called "cloth bound", "edition bound", and "hard bound". See binding.

cast-coated paper:

High-gloss, coated paper made by pressing the paper against a polished, hot, metal drum while the coating is still wet. See paper coating.

cast off:

A calculation of finished size based on a determination of text, illustration, and margin space laid-out for typesetting. Compare over-set; see trim, crop, edit, grid, layout, spread, pre-press.

catalog/catalogue:

Any list or record, usually arranged systematically with descriptive materials, and sometimes included in another source or subsumed by a more extensive resource; see brochure, pamphlet, booklet, journal, monograph, gazette, program. Also, the listed contents of a library, arranged according to any of various systems; see book categorization.

catalog paper:

Coated paper rated #4 or #5 with basis weight from 35# to 50# (50 to 75 gsm) commonly used for catalogs and magazines. See paper.

catastasis:

The part of a drama, preceding the catastrophe, in which the action is at its height, being the climax of a play; derived from "settle", state or stand. See drama.

catastrophe:

The point in a drama following the climax and introducing the conclusion. Compare denouement, kicker; see deus ex machina, drama.

catchline:

A temporary headline for identification on the top of a galley proof. See heading, caption, galley proof.

catch-phrase/catchphrase:

A phrase that attracts or is meant to attract attention. See put to bed, catchword, pap, jingle, ad diction, slogan, slang, trigger term.

catchword:

An effective or attractive word or phrase made memorable by frequent repetition; see catch-phrase, slogan, ad diction, pap, jingle, trigger term. Also, a word printed at the top of a page in a reference book to indicate the first or last entry on that page; also called "guideword" or headword (qv), not keyword (qv).

cause celebre/cause c‚lŠbre:

Any genuine or synthetic controversy that attracts great public attention, as an infamous deed or a notorious scandal; literally derived from "famous case". See papier-mache, flackery, slander, factoid, counterfactual, disinformation; compare byplay.

cc/c.c.:

Abbreviation for copy/copies, as derived from "carbon copy", referring to the former practice of interleaving sheets of carbon paper between blank pages to mechanically reproduce the original, which was a process fraught with potential errors and image degradation; to reduce errors and increase productivity, special "copy set" combinations of lightweight paper with attached carbon paper were manufactured for government and business use. See copy, flimsy, onionskin, manifold, NCR paper. Also, abbreviation for 'chapters'.

CCD:

The abbreviation for Charged Coupled Device, such as a camera or scanner that uses arrays of photocells to capture images.

CD:

The abbreviation for Compact Disc, being a small optical disc (@ 120mm/dia, c1982 by Sony) on which music, data, or images are digitally recorded for playback (spin-rate: 1X = 150KB/s). A "read-only memory" attributed compact disc (CD-ROM) can store a large amount of digitized data. Writeable compact disc (CD-R) technology for archival media is considered more durable than magnetic storage, but unlike CD-ROM, no single standard exists for uniformity and compatibility. The CD-R optical disk is also known as "write once, read many" (WORM), but this niche market technology can only be read by the same type of drive that originally wrote them. Disc capacity has been increased by conversion to DVD format (@120mm/dia, 1X = 1350KB/s, c1996), and will be greatly expanded when the laser spectrum shifts from red to blue, which allows increased density. See analog, COLD, e-pub, disc.

CE:

The abbreviation for copyeditor; see copyedit, proofread.

censorship:

The power to or the act of censoring, as exercised through religious office or governmental agency, by examining literature, dramatic performances, public speeches, and other published or broadcast matter for the purpose of suppressing or deleting parts deemed objectionable on moral, political, military, or other grounds. The most notable roster of excluded materials was the Catholic "Index of Prohibited Books" begun by Pope Leo X, which was discontinued in 1966 [cf: Protestant Index Expurgatorius]; but the void has been more than filled by secular arbiters from university panels and library committees, where judgements are made without benefit of popular law or substantive ethics. Discrimination based upon "political correctness" is only the latest spasm of doctrinaire scrutiny by the Orwellian "thought police", since everything from children's books and religious texts to seditious and salacious materials have been banned in the "Land of the Free", with international prohibitions varying upon revised policies. The media industry guidelines regulating the "sex and violence" ratings are a form of voluntary censorship which, like official suppression [v: Comstock], tends to stimulate prurient interest and increase profitability. Derived from the Roman official charged with the enforcement of public manners and morals, being required "to give one's opinion, recommendation, or assessment". See imprimatur, propaganda, disinformation, samizdat, trigger term, advertising, PSA, recension, expurgate, expose, curiosa, pornography, copyright, freedom of speech, freedom of information, intellectual freedom, euphemism, intelligentsia. [v: auto-da-fe/auto-da-f‚, nihil obstat]

center spread:

The facing pages in the exact center of a magazine, which is a desirable spot for advertisers because of its high visibility; a form of double spread (qv). See cover positions, crossover.

cento:

A piece of writing, especially a poem, composed wholly of quotations from the works of other authors, with a meaning or message different from the original. Also, anything composed of incongruous parts, as a conglomeration. Derived from "patchwork quilt". See pastiche, compilation.

caesura:

A break or pause in a line of verse, marked in scansion by a double vertical line; see meter, prosody, verse, truncation, elision. Also, any hiatus or interruption; see interlude.

CFML:

The abbreviation for Cold Fusion Markup Language (qv); see markup.

CGI script:

The abbreviation for Common Gateway Interface script, being a small program written in a language such as PERL, Tcl, C or C++ that functions as the connection between HTML webpages and other programs on a Web server. For example, a CGI would allow search data entered on a Web page to be sent to the database management system (DBMS) for lookup. It would also format the results of that search as an HTML page and send it back to the user. The CGI script resides in the server, and obtains the data from the user via environment variables that the Web server makes available to it. CGI scripts have been the initial mechanism used to make websites interact with databases and other applications. However, as the Web has evolved, server processing methods have been developed that are more efficient and easier to program. For example, Microsoft promotes its Active Server Pages (ASPs) for its Windows Web servers, and Sun/Netscape nurtures its Java roots with JavaServer Pages (JSPs) and servlets. See browser, web server, language.

CGM:

The abbreviation for Computer Graphics Metafile, being a file format (*.CGM) designed by several standards organizations, and formally ratified by ANSI. It is designed for exchanging graphics files between applications, in both vector and raster formats, and is widely supported by a variety of software and hardware products. See metafile, graphics, illustration.

chalking:

A powdering effect on the surface of paper after the ink has failed to dry satisfactorily due to a fault in printing. See paper coating.

change order:

Alternate term for alteration; see AA, insert, sandwich, PE, proofread.

chapbook:

A small book or pamphlet, usually between 24-32 pages, of tales, ballads, tracts, or poems; as derived from chapman (peddler, tradesman) + book. See booklet, magazine, tabloid, newsletter, gazette, pamphlet, journal, monograph, compilation.

character count:

As the initial stage in typeset calculations, the number of characters (ie: letters, figures, signs, or spaces) in a line, paragraph, or other piece of copy; also called "unit count". See copyfit, linage.

character map:

An interactive keyboard layout in Windows that shows the characters available for each typeface in uppercase, lowercase, and with option keys. The equivalent utility for Macintosh is Key Caps. Supporting the array is actually a block of memory addresses that correspond to character spaces on the display screen; with each memory allocation containing the description of the character shown in that space. See charset, font, type.

character string:

A sequence of characters manipulated as a group; sometimes a concatenation of terms in a special computer language. Depending on the system, a character string will be set off distinctively, or enclosed by single or double quotation marks; and is distinguished from a name by its length and reference variability. See SNOBOL, thread.

charset:

The contraction for "character set", being a group of related alphabetic, numeric, symbolic, and other characters, including control codes. See character map, ASCII, EBCDIC, Unicode, ANSI, ISO.

chase:

An adjustable rectangular frame into which composed type is secured or locked for printing or platemaking; derived from "enclosed space", case. See furniture, quoin, reglet, galley.

chatroom:

An interactive online forum featuring real-time conversations among participants on a specific topic, which communications may be monitored (read like a BBS) by subscribing observers. See IRC, newsgroup, instant messaging, blog, thread, listserve, UseNet.

cheater bar:

Using vacant space on an imposed sheet, prints compensatory ink to balance the difference between a solid and a knockout, so uneven ink distribution will not distort the image with streaks or build-ups; also called "take-away bar" or "ghosting bar". Compare color control bar, eye markers; see color shift, color cast, scum, ghosting.

chiaroscuro:

The distribution of light and shade in a picture; as the use of deep variations in shadow, and subtle gradations of light, for general dramatic effect, and to enhance the delineation of character. Also, a woodcut print in which the colors are produced by the use of different blocks with different colors. Derived from "light + dark"; see illustration.

chiasmus:

Word order reversal in two otherwise parallel phrases, as syntactic reversal or ideational exchange, also known as "convertible statement" or "reversible raincoat sentence" (eg: "The two most engaging powers of an author are to make new things familiar, and familiar things new." or "Your manuscript is both good and original; but the part that is good is not original, and the part that is original is not good."); derivation related to physiological cross-over (ie: optic chiasm). See rhetorical forms.

chip:

A tiny slice of semiconducting material on which a transistor or an integrated circuit is formed; also called "microchip". A transistor is a compact solid-state device consisting of a semiconductor with three or more electrodes, performing the primary functions of an electron tube: amplification, switching, and detection, while using less power. The integrated circuit pattern is transferred to the microchip by photolithography. The first transistor -- a tiny slab of germanium, some bits of gold foil, a paper clip, and some pieces of plastic -- was invented at Bell Laboratories in 1947 by John Bardeen, Walter Brattain, and William Shockley, who shared the 1956 Nobel Prize for Physics. The transistor led to the invention of the integrated circuit in 1958, and of the minicomputer in 1960. See silicon, ROM, disc, hardware, computer.

chipboard:

A thin, stiff sheet material, such as non-corrugated cardboard, made from wastepaper; see paper. Also, a type of board made from compressed waste wood bound together with synthetic resin.

choke:

Technique of slightly decreasing or reducing the size of an image to create an outline or hairline trap; also called "shrink" and "skinny". See spread, register.

chrestomathy:

A collection of selected literary passages, often from a single author, and usually from a foreign language; as derived from "useful + learn". See compilation.

chroma:

The strength or purity of a color, as compared to neutral gray, or its freedom from white or gray; also called "depth", "intensity", "purity", and "saturation". Also, the intensity of hue. Compare hue, value; see gray scale, brightness, solid, illustration.

CIE:

The abbreviation for Commission International de l'Eclairage, being the organization that developed color standards used in PostScript and other software.

cinematography:

The art or technique of motion-picture photography; derived from "moving/motion + image". See film, photography, illustration. [v: phi phenomenon]

cinema verite/cin‚ma v‚rit‚:

A documentary filmaking technique which records actual persons and events without scripting or directorial intervention; derived "motion[-picture] + truth". See storyboard, film, documentary.

circulation:

Usually a periodical's total paid readership; a combination of individual, institutional, and agent-sold subscriptions plus average single-copy sales. Those copies actually sold, not the total sent to distributors. Test marketing can be done with limited circulation in a prospective area or among potential subscribers. See single-copy sales, draw, renewal rate, conversion, soft offer, audience, tracking, testing, ABC, controlled circulation.

classic:

An author or literary work of the first rank, especially one of demonstrably enduring quality, as fundamental, traditional, or definitive. See literature, immortals, copyright.

clause:

Any group of words containing a subject and predicate. An independent syntactic construction may constitute a whole simple sentence. A dependent clause marked by a subordinate conjunction forms part of another syntactic construction. Any number of dependent or independent clauses may be connected in an expressive series; restricted only by clarity of meaning and stylistic guidelines. Compare phrase; see parts of speech. Also, a distinct article, section, or provision in a contract, will, treaty, or other formal written document; derived from "conclusion".

clean color:

A subjective term meaning vivid or pure; see illustration.

cliche/clich‚:

A trite style, stereotyped form, or hackneyed plot, as unimaginative character development in literature or drama; see rhetorical forms. Also, a stereotype or electrotype printing plate. or a reproduction made by such a manner; derived from onomatopoetic imitation of such a plate pressing against the matrix.

climax:

A decisive moment or culmination in a dramatic or literary work that is of maximum intensity or is a major turning point in a plot; also known as catastasis. Compare catastrophe, denouement, anticlimax, kicker; see drama.

clip:

A shortened word or phrase made by dropping one or more syllables. Compare blend, contraction, compound. [v: agglutination]

clipart:

Public domain drawings and pictures intended to be copied into printed material; also called "stock art". See graphics.

Clipper/Clipper chip:

A tamper-resistant encryption chip for all telecommunication devices, as designed by the National Security Agency for conformity with the Escrow Encryption Standard (EES) and implementing the Skipjack encryption algorithm. The Clipper chip was intended to establish a single uniform encryption standard, with the federal government holding a master key for unscrambling any criminal transmissions; but protests from the Electronic Frontier Foundation, the American Civil Liberties Union, and other interested groups prevented its inauguration. Although the export of encryption software and other technology is restricted, the federal government continues to promote "Clipper 2" and "Clipper 3" plans for anti-terrorism and other surveillance. See escrow key, key, PGP, password, trap door, steganography.

CMYK:

The abbreviation for Cyan Magenta Yellow blacK, being the four standard inks for printing. Four-color printing requires color separations for each of these standard inks. See swatchbook, PMS, process colors, illustration.

coated paper:

Chemically treated paper providing a glossy or matte finish that's used to enhance brightness; also called art paper, enamel paper, gloss paper, and slick paper. Compare uncoated paper; see book paper, paper coating.

COBOL:

The abbreviation for COmmon Business Oriented Language, being a high-level computer language suited for writing programs that process large data files and generate reports. Invented during the second generation of computers, it was designed by the CODASYL Committee in 1960 to meet the needs of business, and is the most widely used programming language. It has a natural language style, which makes it easy for a programmer who did not write the original program to make corrections and changes. See language.

cobweb-site:

Slang for an "old" or "antique" website, with the implication of dusty and moth-eaten. This word blend ignores the origin of "coppeweb" (poisonous spider), and its "network of intrigue", with its secondary meaning of confusion. Compare feature-shock; see website.

cocked-up initial:

An initial letter, usually printed at the beginning of the first paragraph of a chapter, which projects above the line of type on which it appears. Compare drop-cap; see initial, small-cap, rubric, swash, majuscule.

cockle finish:

A slightly wrinkled or puckered surface on bond paper. See paper coating.

coda:

A concluding section, especially one serving as a summation of the preceding themes or formal passages; anything that serves as a conclusion or summation. Such a summary may be marked by the Greek letter "sigma" (E/ä) to denote its occurrence. See back matter; compare incipit.

codex:

A manuscript volume, usually of an ancient classic or a book of statutes, as contrasted with a scroll. See spine, incunabula, headword, artifact.

coding/key coding/source coding:

The practice of assigning alpha-numeric codes which allows you to identify the source of a new subscription or renewal. There are no set rules about how to set up source codes, but the logical assignment of place and date on the reply coupon of solicitation tends to work best. Once devised, the code should remain consistent; but special designators can be added to trace particular lists or test offers. See direct mail package, reply coupon, bar code, EAN Bookland bar code, tracking, testing, white mail.

coeval:

Being coincident, simultaneous, or contemporaneous; of the same age or equal duration. Compare dual edition, byplay, rollout, tear sheet, samples, crawl, news, editorial, magazine, stylish, stone age, hotkey, TSR, SAMI, SMIL, multitasking, gang, duplex, frontlist, midlist, backlist, artifact, codex, incunabula, scroll, colloquialism, vernacular.

coil binding:

Spiral-bound (qv) by colored plastic, which can be matched to ink or dye for cover stock. See binding.

COLD:

An acronym for Computer Output to Laser Disc, as in the storage of data on optical disc (eg: CD-ROM). Storing large quantities of data onto laser disk, as opposed to microfiche or microfilm, enables computer search access of this information, and more readily distributes information to users. COLD avoids the duplication and protection costs incurred with physical documents or film. Compare Cold Fusion.

Cold Fusion:

A server-side scripting product created by Allaire Corporation of Cambridge Mass, that includes a server and a development toolset, which is designed to integrate databases and webpages. Cold Fusion webpages include tags written in Cold Fusion Markup Language (CFML) that simplifies integration with databases, and avoids the use of more complex languages (ie: C++) to create translating programs. Users enter parameters on a webpage and the server queries the database for specifics, with the result presented in HTML. See ASP, web server.

cold-set web:

Web press without a drying oven, thus unable to print on coated paper; also called "non-heat-set web" and "open web". See press.

cold type:

Type set without the direct use of molten metal castings, as by phototypesetter or Imagesetter; also called "flat type". The distinction is oriented to the prevailing or final process, rather than exclusion; as 'scanned relief' is "cold type", but 'photo engraved' is "hot type". Compare hot type, foundry type; see reproduction proof, font, type.

collage:

A technique of composing a work of art by pasting on a surface, or splicing a graphical sequence, various materials or subjects not normally associated with one another. This combination of seemingly disparate elements or images does not form a unified whole, or represent a singular statement. Derived from "glue" together; also known as "papier coll‚". Compare montage; see pastiche, illustration. [v: assemblage]

collate:

To gather or arrange pages in their proper sequence; derived from "bring together". Also, to verify the arrangement of gathered sheets, their number and order, for a volume or book, as a means of determining its completeness before binding. Also, to critically compare texts. See burst.

collateral:

Printed pieces, such as newsletters and brochures, that support and supplement display or broadcast advertising.

collective mark:

A trademark or service mark (qqv) used by a cooperative; see product mark.

colloquialism:

Casual, familiar, or informal writing and speech, as in a conversational style; derived from "conversation/talk", in common with colloquium. See slang, vernacular, orality, language, sociolinguistics. [nb: colloquialisms are always current, but vernacular or vulgate may be historical]

collotype:

A mechanized representative process used for printing black or color posters and transparencies, as lately revived from its 1880 - 1914 popularity era. Patented in France (1855) as "Photocollography", then modified as "Phototypy" (1865) and as "Albertypy" (1868), this process used photosensitive substances, not as agents in making plates for printing, but to serve directly as the effective surface of such plates. Also called the "collotype process", it was neglected until recently.

colon/cola:

The sign (:) used to mark a major division in a sentence to indicate that what follows is an elaboration, summation, interpretation, deduction, or conclusion of what precedes. Also, the sign used to separate grouped numerals, as in time, date, ratio, and proportion. Also, one of the members or sections of a rhythmical period, consisting of a sequence of from two to six feet united under a principal ictus or beat. See foot, period, punctuation.

colophon:

The distinctive emblem or signet of a publisher or printer, used as an identifying device on their works; see imprint, autograph. Also, an inscription at the end of a book or manuscript giving its title, author, date, and other particulars of production. Because early books were published by the collaboration of separate skillcrafts, the original colophon was also a form of advertising. Derived [1615-25] from summit, finishing touch. See masthead, back matter.

color balance:

Refers to amounts of process colors that simulate the colors of the original scene or photograph. See illustration.

color break:

In multicolor printing, the point, line or space at which one link color stops and another begins. See illustration.

color build:

To overlap two or more screen tints to create a new color; also known as a "build", "tint build", or overlay. Compare knockout; see illustration.

color cast:

Unwanted color affecting an entire image; see cheater bar, illustration.

color control bar:

A strip of small blocks of color on a proof or press sheet to help evaluate features such as density and dot gain. Compare eye markers, cheater bar; see illustration.

color correct:

To adjust the relationship among the process colors to achieve desirable colors. See tweak, illustration.

color curves:

Instructions in software that allow users to change or correct colors; also called HLS or HVS tables. See illustration.

color gamut:

The entire range of hues possible to reproduce using a specific device or process. See illustration.

color gradient:

The rate of change of a tonal variable in the direction of maximum alteration. See blend, airbrush.

color map:

A grid or other display of all the colors available in a computer program; also called a "color palette".

color matching system:

System of numbered ink swatches that facilitates communication about color. See illustration.

color model:

A way of categorizing and describing the almost infinite array of colors found in nature. See illustration.

color sequence:

The order in which inks are printed. With process colors, the sheetfed sequence is often black first, then magenta, cyan, and yellow last. The web sequence is often cyan, magenta, yellow, with black either first or last. Also called "laydown sequence" and "rotation". See illustration.

color shift:

Change in image color resulting from changes in register, ink densities, or dot gain. See cheater bar, illustration.

color specification:

The technique of using a camera, scanner, or computer to divide continuous-tone color images into four separated halftone negatives. Also, the film, proof or printed product resulting from color separation. See illustration.

column inch:

An area measurement used to calculate the cost of display advertising in magazines and newspapers; consisting of one column wide by one inch high. Advertising placed in outside columns or near section fronts usually cost more than inside or back listed displays. See fractional ad, PCI, advertising.

column rule:

A light vertical rule used to separate balanced or parallel arrangements of columns of text. The width of the standard newspaper column is thirteen picas (6 pica = 1 inch). The margin that the rule bisects between columns is white space (qv). See rule, newspaper, straight composition.

comb binding:

A practical and inexpensive method of binding similar to spiral binding, using a flexible plastic "comb" with "teeth" through the rectangular holes at the edge of the paper, allowing the book to open flat. The spine of comb bindings may be screen printed with title, author, and imprint, similar to other books. Also called "GBC" or "clamshell" binding. See binding.

comedy/comedia:

A literary form designed to amuse by use of wit, humor, criticism, or ridicule; derived from "revel" (komos). Comedy is usually identified as a dramatic form, but the term also applies to nondramatic works. Often distinguished from tragedy, which tries to evoke profound emotions from the audience; but Aristotle distinguishes characters that are figures from daily life in everyday situations as comedic. Comedy includes scenes of farce, satire, burlesque, harlequinade, or sociopolitical invective, with or without musical accompaniment; as represented by tragicomic, romantic comedy, miracle plays, comedy of manners, com‚die larmoyante, com‚die ballet, and theatre of the absurd. See bathos, melodrama, drama, revue, literature, muse.

comma:

The sign (,) used as a punctuation mark for indicating phrases or clauses in a sentence, for separating words or list items, for identifying levels of data, for distinguishing types of bibliographic information, for delineating numeric groups, and for specifying decimal points in numeric notation (Europe). Compare Oxford comma, period, semicolon; see punctuation.

command line:

A string of text in the command language, which is executed by the command interpreter; also called "command-line interface". Commands are usually typed at the keyboard or chosen from a menu so that performance instructions can be interpreted by the operating system for the computer and its programs. The command interpreter (eg: "command.com" in MS-DOS) is responsible for loading applications and directing the flow of information between applications. In OS/2 and MS-DOS, the command interpreter also handles simple functions. A command-driven system, using a special command language, is considered more difficult to learn and use than graphical user interfaces. However, command-based systems are usually programmable; which gives them flexibility unavailable in graphics-based systems that do not have a programming interface. See shell, string; compare GUI. [nb: a maxim for the "command line dependent personality" is C:\FORMAT life |MORE !]

commentator:

Anyone who makes a series of comments, explanations, or annotations, such as editor, journalist, narrator, moderator, or "infotainer". Also, a compiler of facts or events, as recording secretary or documentary archivist. See dialogue, critic, news, documentary.

commercial match:

The acceptable difference between the color on a sample of ink or paper, or the color on a proof, and the color achieved on a press. See ink roll-out, illustration.

commercial printer:

Printer producing a wide range of products, such as brochures, posters, booklets, stationary and business forms. Also called "job printer" because each job is different.

commercial register:

The informal trade policy recognizing that acceptable quality allows a slight variation of register throughout the press run.

commodity:

Refers to paper or printing produced quickly and in high volumes, so therefore relatively inexpensive.

communique/communiqu‚:

An official bulletin or announcement, especially a general communication to the press or public. See broadcast, advance, news release, publicist, blad, press kit.

compilation:

To assemble or combine materials into a single work, as to collect selections into an assemblage, aggregation, or m‚lange; derived from "to steal from another writer". See anthology, miscellany, garland, news book, cento, pastiche, chrestomathy, digest, analects, journal, chapbook, magazine, umbrella, oeuvre, collage, montage, literature. [v: omnium-gatherum]

comp letter:

A sales or promotion letter bound onto or into a magazine that is sent without charge to investors, clients, reviewers, and other complimentary recipients. See comps.

compose:

To typeset copy. See compositor, typesetter, typographer.

composing stick:

A portable, adjustable, usually metal tray that the compositor holds in one hand while placing type into it gathered with the other hand; also known as "type stick" or "compositor's stick". See knee, galley.

composite proof:

A proof of halftones and separations in position with graphics and type. See proof.

composition:

The arrangement of type, graphics, and other elements onto a page in preparation for printing. Also, the act or process of producing a short essay or literary work. Also, the organization or grouping of the different parts of a work of art so as to achieve a unified whole; an holistic aggregate. Also, the process of forming compound words, which are joined without alteration; see solid.

compositor:

A person who sets the type or text for printing; derived from component. See compose, typographer, typesetter.

compound/compound word:

A word composed of two or more words that are otherwise unaltered (eg: moonflower, rainstorm, newspaper, stylebook); also called "portmanteau word". Compare blend, clip, glide, contraction; see solid, word, vocabulary, language. [v: agglutination] [nb: some compounds are subtly distinct or altered in meaning from their separated forms; see Confusing Words]

comprehensive dummy:

Simulation of a printed piece, complete with actual type, graphics, and colors; may be abbreviated "comp", also called "editor's book". See dummy, F&G, Greek type.

comps:

Individuals who regularly receive a publication free of charge, such as reviewers, funders, and board members. The practice of sending tear sheets (qv) to advertisers has been replaced by comps, primarily for manpower reasons. See comp letter, controlled circulation, desk copy.

computer:

The development of computers began in the late 1940s with huge mainframes that used vacuum tube technology. The second generation of computers were built with discrete transistors, from the mid-1950s through the mid-1960s. Third-generation computers were built using integrated circuits after the mid-1960s; during this time period, minicomputers were developed. The fourth generation of computers are the microcomputers which use large-scale integration or very large-scale integration. In 1973, the Xerox Corporation Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) built the first desktop computer, called the "Alto", that implemented a bitmapping process and utilized a mouse pointer. The fifth generation of computers, beginning in the late 1990s, uses quantum mechanics, and are expected to extend and expand the application of artificial intelligence (AI). See quantum, IAS, ENIAC, MANIAC, Mark 1, stone age, hardware, bus, SSI, chip, disc, markup, database, file system, software, program, platform, interface, analog, cybernetics, language.

concertina-fold:

A pleated folding method of alternates or opposites, so neighboring pages are contiguous and sequential; also known as "z-fold", "s-fold", or accordian-fold (qv). See boustrophedon, French fold, foldout, parallel-fold, wrap-fold.

concordance:

An alphabetical index of subjects or topics, as a "syntopican". Also, an alphabetical index of the principal words or phrases of a book, with a reference to the passage in which each occurs (eg: a concordance to the Bible). Compare contents; see index, back matter.

condensed type:

A typeface style in which the characters have an elongated appearance. See type.

condition:

To keep paper in the pressroom for a few hours or days before printing so that its moisture level and temperature equal that in the pressroom; also called "cure", "mature", and "season". See paper.

C1/C2/C3/C4:

Reference for cover positions (qv); variously interpreted as the quadrants comprising the front cover, the principal cover pages from front to back, or the prime cover pages from front and back to inside. Other designations may also exist.

C1S/C2S:

Abbreviations for Coated one Side and Coated two Sides; also denoted "C/1/S" and "C/2/S". Paper coated on one side is often used for book covers, posters, signs, and menus. Stock coated only on one side may still be printed on both sides, just like uncoated paper and paper coated on both sides. See calender, machine glazed, paper coating.

conflict:

In literature and drama (qqv), the clash of actions, emotions, objectives, or philosophies that inhibit or divert the agonists, either protagonist or antagonist; including innerpersonal, intrapersonal, interpersonal, extrapersonal, antisocial, cross-cultural, extrasocial, and mystical. The opposition, formally known as "agon", may be a contest or dilemma involving contradictory motivations, adversarial enmity, natural force, or inexorable fate. See pathos, tragedy. [v: nemesis]

console:

The control unit of a mechanical, electrical, or electronic system, such as the input and monitor of a computer; derived from "bracket" or support. See pointer, keyboard, screen.

consonant:

A speech sound produced by occluding, diverting, or obstructing the flow of air from the lungs. Also, a letter or other symbol representing a consonant sound. Compare vowel; see phoneme, morpheme, onomatopoeia, rhetorical forms.

constant:

Elements in a periodical that do not change from issue to issue, such as nameplate, standing head, body type, masthead, editorial well; also called "canned format". See template, grid, formula, sine qua non.

constituent:

A linguistic element considered as part of a construction. See morpheme, syntax, parts of speech. [v: immediate constituent, ultimate constituent]

container tag:

Paired coding affecting the encapsulated contents that requires both elements (ie: on/off, enable/disable, activate/deactivate) to be present for the sequence to be recognized. HTML will ignore unknown or incorrect codes, but SGML and XML will fail. These parameters often "contain" style or format attributes, which are enabled within the tag boundaries. See slash, tag, HTML tag, markup.

content provider:

Jargon for a contributor, being someone who supplies material to a publication, and may assist in formulating its presentation, especially for e-mags and webcasts. See zine.

contents:

The subjects or topics covered in a publication, usually subdivided into chapters, sections, departments, or books, and referenced by page; also called "table of contents", and abbreviated "TOC". Also, the material or substance presented by topical categories. The contents page in a book is always recto; but the contents page of a periodical is often verso, with the opposite recto page usually being prime advertising display space. The contents, being a service page in a periodical, normally includes: heading, date, volume number, logo, subheads, titles, bylines, page number (or other form of navigation), deck/bite/abstract/teaser, images, cover credit, website address, and website contents. The contents for periodicals has expanded to two or three pages so feature and department titles could include decks or abstracts as teasers, supplemental images for the material, and a website contents within the print contents. If the corrigenda does not appear on the editorial page or with the masthead, it may be placed on the contents page. See pagination, editorial well, feature, sidebar, advance, front matter; compare ladder, masthead, colophon, concordance.

continue line:

The line of editorial notation, inserted whenever the content of a presentation is interrupted, which directs the reader to the resumption point. See read through, jump line, jump head, jump article, sequence; compare carry-over, page marker, end sign.

continuous tone:

Artwork which may entail the full spectrum of tonal gradations, from dark to light; abbreviated "contone". In order to print graduated artwork on an offset press, continuous tone images must be converted into halftones. See illustration.

contraction:

A shortened form of a word (eg: intel) or group of words (eg: milpers), or a compound created by shortings (eg: ampersand). In speech, often considered informal or colloquial; and in written English, the excised portions or omitted letters are replaced by an apostrophe (eg: isn't, they're, e'er, etc). Compare blend, clip, compound. [v: haplography, paronym, agglutination]

contract proof:

Any proof that the customer approves as final. See pleasing colors.

contranym:

A word with inherently opposite meanings (eg: cleave, enjoin, sanguine, dike, moot, alibi, custom, mistress); sometimes spelled "contronym" and also called "antagonym". See oxymoron, homonym, heteronym, vocabulary. [see Confusing Words]

contrast:

The relative difference between light and dark areas of an image; the degree of compressed tonal range in an image toward highlights and shadows. Contrast can be adjusted by changing the exposure or by using filters (eg: color correcting filter). Also, opposition or juxtaposition of different forms, lines, or colors in a work of art; a distinguishing difference. See illustration. Also, the design principle that important elements are given emphasis or dominance on a page, by use of size, color, texture, or placement, compared to less important ones. See layout, balance, sequence.

control character:

A computer character, such as control (CTRL) or alternate (ALT), assigned keyboard values or functions when combined in appropriate sequences within operating systems or applications; including: exit (break/CTRL+C), stop (interrupt/CTRL+D), end (terminate/CTRL+Z). See hot-key, end sign, subroutine, macro, script, batch file, TSR, shell.

controlled circulation:

The practice of sending complimentary copies of a magazine, usually trade, literary, or other subsidized periodicals, to specific subscribers, whose selection is based upon their job title or position. See comps.

conversion:

Has several meanings including: the first time renewal of a new, paid subscription and the reformation of a database for use with new software or at a new fulfillment house.

conversion rate:

Usually the percentage of first-time subscribers who renew for a second year/term. Also describes a discounted rate offered to potential first-time renewers who initially subscribed at a reduced rate. (nb: a conversion rate is normally offered to "soften the blow" of stepping up from a discounted to a full-price rate). See renewal rate.

converter:

A business that makes products such as boxes, bags, envelopes, and displays. Also, any device that changes impulses from one form to another, such as analog to digital. Also, translation software that changes data from one format into another, for access or interpretation.

cookie:

A set of data that a website server gives to a browser the first time the user visits the website, and is updated with each return visit. An HTTP cookie is a packet of information which an HTTP server sends to a World Wide Web browser, to be sent back by the browser every time it reconnects with that server. HTTP cookies can be used to identify registered users. The remote server saves the information the cookie contains about the user, and the user's browser does the same, as a text file stored in the browser system folder. Depending on the type of cookie used and the browser's settings, the browser may accept or not accept the cookie, and may save the cookie for either a short time or a long time. Web servers can use cookies to keep track of how often and when a user has visited, and what sort of information was sought on their site. They can even use cookies to pass that information on to other web servers, such as advertisement servers. Cookies are usually transmitted by JavaScript or CGI Script. On the positive side, cookies can be used to store the user's own web site configuration, to remember items placed in an online store's "shopping cart", or to store account and password information for subscription sites. Cookies are usually set to expire after a predetermined amount of time and are usually saved in memory until the browser software is closed down, at which time they may be saved to disk if their expire time has not been reached. For maximum privacy, allow return of cookies to trusted sites only. A "kill cookie" batch file is an executable script that removes cookies from the computer's browser; or an "amnesia" program can scour the various temporary and history dumps on a computer for better security. See audience, circulation, tracking, sniffer, adware, spyware.

co-op ad:

An advertisement paid for by several different sources. Can refer to a group ad from several different publishers, a group ad placed by a distributor on behalf of several publishers, or an ad bought jointly by a reading venue and a publisher. See co-op money, hook, banner, broadside, teaser.

co-op money:

A fee requested by a reading venue to pay for publicity of a reading (eg: advertisements in local newspapers, newsletters, or posters. Co-op money also refers to fees charged publishers for inclusion in a retailer's promotional efforts (ie: special displays, catalogs, newsletters, etc). Based on a percentage of net sales from a specified period (ie: the previous 12 months), some publishers set aside "co-op pools" from which retailers can request support for new initiatives. See co-op ad, flackery.

copula:

A verb (ie: be, seem, look, etc) that serves as a connecting link or establishes an identity between subject and complement [v: "subjective complement"]; also called "linking verb". See parts of speech. Also, the connecting link between the subject and predicate of a proposition. [v: "zero copula"]

copy:

Matter intended to be reproduced in printed form; derived from "abundant", copious. Also, the text of a story, advertisement, commercial, or the like. Also, any one of the various examples or specimens of the same publication. Also, an imitation, reproduction, or transcript of an original; compare replica, near frame.

copyboy:

A newspaper office employee who delivers copy and runs errands; a novice who gains valuable experience and perspective on publishing by observing writers, editors and printers. See deskman, stringer, journalism, news. [nb: both Henry Grunwald and Andrew Heiskell are 'bottom to top' success stories at "Time"; while both Harold Ross ("New Yorker") and John H. Johnson ("Ebony"/"Jet") are profound success stories despite being "unqualified"]

copy desk:

The desk at which copy (qv) is edited and prepared for printing, especially in a newspaper or magazine office. See slot, rim, fishbowl, deskman, copyedit, copywriter.

copyedit:

Copyediting is a blanket term that describes several different levels of textual editing that happen before the text is typeset: mechanical, style, and substantive. Substantive editing, or major changes to the author's wording and organization, is generally carried out by the editor. A copyeditor generally does mechanical editing -- corrections to grammar, punctuation, and spelling. The copyeditor also makes sure that the text conforms to the house style, that is, the particular publisher's stylistic guidelines resolve all options on usage. The copyeditor is also known as a "subeditor". See proofread, stylebook, strike-through, rewrite.

copyfit/copyfitting:

The process of varying the spacing of letters and words, or of adjusting the size of type and lines to make copy fit within a defined area of the page; see tracking, kern, leading, rag, RIP, tweak. Also, the composition of topical work confined to a word or line limit for complete expression (ie: character or unit count), as opposed to submissions of inconsistent length; compare copyedit, copywriter.

copyright:

The exclusive ownership of a literary, musical, or artistic work, and the protected right to make use of such a tangible work for a specified period of time; including the right to: (1) reproduce the copyrighted work; (2) prepare derivative works; (3) distribute copies of the work by sale or otherwise; (4) with respect to certain artistic works, perform the work publicly; and (5) display the work publicly. An author is the party who actually creates the work, that is, the person who translates the motive or idea into some fixed or tangible expression that's entitled to copyright protection. Such work is owned by the artist from the moment of creation until these rights are assigned or transferred; except for work for hire, which is owned by the employer or commissioner. Author ownership is contingent upon copyrightable subject matter, which is able to be independently assigned. Authors of joint work hold undivided interests in it, despite any differences in each co-author's contribution, if their intent at the time of creation was joint. To create joint work, each author must intend that respective contributions be merged into inseparable or interdependent parts of a unitary whole; so collaboration alone is insufficient to create joint works. Each author is co-owner of joint work and has the right to use or license use of the work, subject to accounting to other co-owners for any profits. Anyone who assists in the creation of a work, whether as patron, employer, or contributor of suggestions and refinements, has the opportunity to share in the profits produced by the work through appropriate contractual arrangements. Declaration must include: copyright symbol or abbreviation, first year of publication, and name of copyright holder. Denotation includes the word "copyright", the abbreviation "copr", or the "C" in a circle symbol. Copyright protection generally extends beyond literary work's strictly textual form to its nonliteral components; but any substantial similarity should be determined by filtering out unprotected aspects of allegedly infringed end-products. Defendant's copying of copyrighted work may be established for copyright infringement claim either by direct evidence, or by showing that defendant had access to copyrighted work, and that defendant's work is substantially similar to copyrightable material. The merger doctrine's underlying principle is that when the essential expression of an idea is greatly limited or severely restricted, then the idea and its expression are inseparable, and copyright is no bar to reproducing that expression. In order not to confer a monopoly of the idea upon the copyright owner, that when specific information, even though previously included in copyrighted material, is the only and essential means of expressing a given idea or accomplishing a given task, its later use by another will not amount to infringement, so such expression should not be protected. Generally, information or concepts are not subject to legal protection, except where information is gathered and arranged at some cost and sold as a commodity on the market, it then acquires the same protection of other intellectual property. Ideas and styles (eg: catch-phrase, title, voice, celebrity, etc) are not protected by copyright. In no case does copyright protection for an original work of authorship extend to any idea, procedure, or discovery, regardless of the form in which it is described, explained, illustrated, or embodied in such work. The primary objective of copyright is not to reward the labor of authors, since substantial effort alone cannot confer copyright status on an otherwise uncopyrightable work. Federal copyright preemption does not apply to state law claims for unfair competition based on breach of confidential relationship, breach of fiduciary duty, and violation of trade secrets. See subsidiary rights, volume rights, fair use, public domain, specialized format, disclaimer, digital watermark, plagiarism, non-disclosure agreement, work for hire. [nb: A "parenthetic c" {(c)} is sometimes used to denote copyright, but this symbol is invalid, since the letter must be completely encircled ("©"); therefore, the "copr" abreviation would be a better option for anyone unable to insert the correct sign.]

copywriter:

A writer of advertising or publicity copy. See space writer, deskman, rim, slot, copyedit, linage, broadside, hook, banner, co-op ad, flackery, teaser.

cornerpiece:

In bookbinding of the late 16th and early 17th centuries, an ornamental design such as an arabesque, stamped on the corners of a book cover, usually to match a centerpiece of similar design; see cameo binding, die, emboss, binding. Also, refers to decorative metal corners attached to the binding of a book. In modern usage, a temporary guard, made of some hard material, attached to the corners of a book to protect against damage in shipping. Also, refers to an ornament or flourish printed or drawn by hand at the corner of a border around a section of printed or handwritten text; see cartouche, ornament.

corner snipe:

A corner motif, sometimes called a "nabisco", containing an important notice for the reader; usually designed to contrast with other cover material, and often placed in the upper-left quadrant for greatest visibility. Compare skyline, cover line, dog-ear, snipe; see shoulder note, cartouche, cornerpiece.

corrigenda:

A list of errors together with their corrections inserted into a publication. See tip, contents. [nb: an error with its correction is either corrigendum or erratum, while multiple errors are errata; the list of corrections for one or more errors is corrigenda]

corrugated board:

Board made by sandwiching fluted kraft paper between sheets of paper or cardboard, as used for making boxes. See paper.

counterfactual:

To respond or reply to a fact; to rebutt or refute so as to thwart or nullify the opposition. See bully pulpit, propaganda, disinformation, journalism, sleazy, flackery, byplay, sidebar, call-out, pull-quote, text box, box; compare factoid.

counterword:

A word diluted by improper usage; a word that has come to be used with much less specific meanings than it had originally, such as swell, awful, terrific, awesome, boss, or cool. Compare slang, polysemy, vernacular.

courtesy envelope:

A pre-addressed, unpaid return envelope, usually with a "place stamp here" box included on upper right-hand corner. Normally used to encourage the return of invoices.

cover:

The exterior wrap, jacket, or case of a publication. In addition to its utility, the primary purposes of a cover are: to identify the publication, evoke a response from the viewer, and market the dated material in a timely manner. See cover paper, self-cover, cover positions, face, RDA, cover line, corner snipe, tip-on.

cover credit:

Commendable acknowledgement of the contributor or source of the front page illustration for a periodical, which may include the identification of props or background; usually cited with a replica or related thumbnail on the table of contents. See credit line, underline, contents, caption, near frame.

cover lines:

The brief announcements or blurbs displayed on the cover of a periodical, as adjuncts of headlines and illustrations, as enticements for readers to search inside the publication for the full account; also called "sell lines" on newsstand issues. The features cited by cover lines usually appear at the beginning of the table of contents (qv). See teaser, blurb, corner snipe, skyline, jump article.

cover paper/cover stock:

Category of thick paper used for products such as posters, menus, folders, and covers of paperback books. See binding, cut flush, overhang, separate cover, C1S, jacket, tip-on, paper; compare self-cover.

cover positions:

The premium-priced display or advertising space in a magazine. The front cover is usually not "for sale", but often features new or noteworthy commercial items in the guise of news. The prominent cover positions are: inside front, inside back, and outside back cover. See double spread, contents, corner snipe.

cover price:

The publisher's suggested retail price, so marked on the dust jacket or encrypted in the bar code; as with any commodity, the actual purchase price is extenuated by demand and other market conditions.

CPM:

The abbreviation for Cost Per thousand [Roman numeral: M]; a dollar amount used by advertisers to evaluate the relative cost of various media within a designated demographic criterion. It is achieved by dividing the audience of a broadcast or the circulation of a publication by its unit cost (ie: per minute, by column inch). See reader profile, universe.

CP/M:

Abbreviation for Control Program/Microprocessor (Monitor). Created by Digital Research Corporation, CP/M was one of the first operating systems for personal computers, based on Intel microprocessors. CP/M was a popular operating system for 8080-/Z80-/8086-/8088-/Z8000-/68000-based computers. Although CP/M is now obsolete, DRI has enhanced the product line with Concurrent CP/M and MP/M (qv) for multitasking. See program.

cracker:

An unauthorized person who breaks into a computer system to access protected data or to wreck operations. Also, to illegally break the copy protection or data encryption used on commercial software. Probably derived from "break in" or "break down", but may be perversely related to 'wild' (crackers) or 'crazy' (cracked) and to 'extreme' or 'unusual' (cracking). See hacker, phreak, script kiddie, turist, software, virus.

cracking:

Where the color, pattern, or design distorts at the fold or score line of printed matter. See grain direction, cross grain, with the grain, grain long/short paper.

CRAP:

An acronym for the elements comprising bad design: Contrast/Repetition/Alignment/Proximity. Contrast is often the most important visual attraction on a page. If the page elements (eg: type, color, size, line thickness, shape, space, etc) are not the same, then make them very different, instead of making them similar. Repetition helps develop the organization and strengthens the unity of a page. Repeating visual elements (eg: color, shape, texture, spatial relationships, line thickness, sizes, etc) develops the design. Every element should have some visual connection with another element on the page; which creates a consistent and sophisticated alignment. Related items should be grouped, because their proximity reinforces their information, and their visual unity reduces clutter. See designing on press, Occam's Razor, stylish, graphic design, design.

crash:

In bookbinding, a narrow strip of loosely woven muslin or gauze glued to the back of a book after the sections have been sewn, to help hold them together. In some editions, a brown-paper layer is glued over this mesh fabric backing for extra strength. Also called "super" or "mull"; as derived from coarse or irregular plain-weave fabric. Compare guard; see backing, binding. Also, anything characterized by an intensive effort, as to deal with an emergency, meet a deadline, devise a plan, or achieve a goal (eg: a crash relief program). Also, in computer operations or data processing, a slang term for an unanticipated hardware shutdown or software lockup, such breakdowns usually being due to a system malfunction or user error; see glitch, bug.

crawl:

A display of continuously running text, such as weather alerts or news announcements, typically appearing at the bottom of a television screen, so as not to interrupt normal programming with non-emergency broadcasts. The scrolling rate of the text for "closed caption" reading by deaf TV viewers is usually faster than general audience displays. Recurrent text or looped content can be programmed for encapsulated display on webpages using animation software, such as Flash (qv). See text box, caption, zipper sign, ticker tape, box, insert, SAMI, specialized format, accessibility.

crawler:

A computer program that retrieves online documents and the references linked to them, and may also perform indexing; also called spider (qv) or "web crawler". [nb: "web crawler" is generic, but "WebCrawler" is proprietary] See search engine.

credit line:

A line of text acknowledging the source or origin of published or exhibited material. See byline, caption, underline, cover credit, brand, plagiarism.

creep:

The phenomenon of middle pages in a folded signature extending slightly beyond the outer pages; also called "feathering", "outpush", "push out", and "thrust". See shingling.

creole:

A syntactic pidgin that has become the native language of a distinct subculture or discrete speech community; derived from "to bring up", create, native (criollo). A pidgin evolves into a creole when it acquires syntax (eg: Krio, Island Carib, Cajun, Pochismo, Spanglish, Franglais, Yinglish, Anglicism). See pig Latin, pidgin, lingua franca, jargon, vernacular, polyglot, language. [v: calque, bilingualism]

crier:

A person who makes public announcements on behalf of officials; and by extension, a person who earned a living by publicly speaking news and stories. The crier and herald have evolved from the gossip monger and tattler to the newsreader and newscaster, the moderator and commentator. See news, disinformation, muckraker, yellow journalism; compare ballyhoo.

crippled:

A demonstration version of a program or other software that has one or more critical features disabled; also known as "demo". Many software companies freely distribute crippled versions of their applications, as an enticement for the user to buy the full featured version.

critic:

A person who evaluates, analyzes, judges or critiques literary and artistic works, dramatic and musical performances, as for a newspaper feature; also known as reviewer, commentator, judge, evaluator, animadverter, analyst, arbiter, authority, expert, censor. See snipe. [nb: "Those who can, do; those who can't, teach or preach." paraphrase of George Bernard Shaw; "The critic has to educate the public; the artist has to educate the critic." by Oscar Wilde; "Nature, when she invented, manufactured, and patented her authors, contrived to make critics out of the chips that were left." by Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr]

crop:

To trim (ie: photograph, page) or cut to size; to shave, pare.

crop marks:

Lines near the edges of an image indicating portions to be reproduced; also called "cut marks" and "tic marks".

crossbar:

A horizontal line or stripe. See stroke, stem, ligature, type, typeface, typography.

cross format:

A software application that is convertible to more than one code or language. Compare cross platform.

cross grain:

At right angles to the grain direction of the paper being used. Also called "across the grain" and "against the grain". Compare with the grain, grain direction, grain long/short paper; see cracking, paper.

cross head:

A subheading set in the body of the text, used to break the copy into sections that are more easily readable. See subhead, heading.

cross market:

A producer publishing in multiple media, usually complementary, but with the result that a customer will learn about a book on radio or a magazine on the web, and will then select the older format for purchase or subscription. Compare crossover market.

crossover:

Type of art that continues from one page of a book or magazine across the gutter to the opposite page; also called "bridge" and "gutter jump". See spread, illustration.

crossover market:

A medium or genre which appeals to a clientele beyond the typical profiles of social grouping or cultural classification; being a transitional or expanding category. See audience, reader profile, universe, circulation; compare niche market, mass market, cross market.

cross platform:

A software application that can run under more than one operating system. Compare cross format. [nb: 'cross platform' is not "platform independent"]

crunch:

To extensively manipulate, condense, calculate, or process data (ie: words as "file crunching" or numbers as "number crunching"), especially by computer. See database.

C shell:

A command line interpreter shell and script language for UNIX; also known as "Csh". See shell.

C sizes:

ISO paper sizes with correct dimensions to make folders and envelopes for products trimmed to A sizes. See paper.

CSS:

The abbreviation for Cascading Style Sheets; a stylesheet mechanism that has been specifically developed for webpage designers and users. Stylesheets describe how documents are presented on screens, in print, and even in spoken voice. Stylesheets allow the user to change the appearance of hundreds of Web pages by changing just one file. A stylesheet is made up of rules that tell a browser how to present a document. Numerous properties may be defined for an element; each property is given a value. Examples are font properties, color and background properties, text properties, box properties, classification properties, and units. The term cascading refers to the fact that more than one stylesheet can be used on the same document, with different levels of importance. Stylesheet markup is contained within <brackets> or {braces}; and style formatting may be integral or external (*.CSS). Although CSS2 protocols exist, the W3C has only approved CSS Level 1 for integration. There are differences between CSS and XSL (Extensible Style Language). Both languages can be used with XML, but only CSS can be used with HTML. XSL, however, is a transformation language, and can be used to transform XML data into HTML/CSS documents on a web server.

curiosa:

Books, pamphlets, playing cards, and other publications dealing with unusual (eg: fantasia, phantasmagoria, surrealism, exotica) or pornographic subjects; derived from "inquisitive". [nb: "[Respectability is] the cloak under which fools conceal their stupidity." by W. Somerset Maugham]

cursive:

A style of typeface simulating the flowing strokes in the joined letters and characters of handwriting. Any typeset material designed to resemble handwriting. See micrographia, script, calligraphy, font, type; compare minuscule, uncial.

cursor:

The movable symbol on a computer screen that shows where the user is working, whether typing text, drawing lines, or moving design elements. The cursor can be moved with the arrow keys or a mouse. It usually appears in text programs as a blinking dash, rectangle, or arrowhead. In graphics programs, the cursor is often called a pointer, and can take many different shapes, such as a hand, device (cross-hairs or I-beam), or tool (brush or pencil). See pointer, insertion point, prompt.

customer service representative:

The employee of a printer who coordinates projects, and is responsible for keeping the customers informed of progress; abbreviated CSR.

cut flush:

The technique of trimming a book after the cover has been attached to the pages, so that the cover does not protrude beyond the body; also called "flush cover". Compare overhang; see cover paper, self-cover, binding, crop, trim, finish, post-press.

cutoff:

The circumference of the impression cylinder of a web press, and therefore, the length of the printed sheet that the press cuts from the roll of paper. See trim, crop.

cutout:

A halftone silhouette with the background masked or omitted. See reverse, knockout, cameo; compare drop out.

cut sizes:

Paper sizes used with office machines and small sheet-fed presses. See paper.

CWT:

The abbreviation for hundredweight using the Roman numeral C=100 + WT=weight. See paper.

cybernetics:

The use of servomechanical or electromechanical control systems that regulate and coordinate the work of other machines, as based upon the analogy of computerized robots simulating organic human processes; derived from "helmsman" or "steersman", as introduced by Norbert Wiener in 1948. See analog, quantum, computer, interface.

cylinder press:

A printing press in which a flat bed holding the printing form moves against a rotating cylinder that carries the paper; also called "flat-bed press". The steam-powered cylinder press was invented in 1812 by Friedrich Koenig/Konig. Compare rotary press; see press.