A straight or curved diagonal line.
Definition: The main diagonal portion of a letterform such as in N, M, or Y is the stroke. The stroke is secondary to the main stem(s). Some letterforms with two diagonals, such as A or V have a stem (the primary vertical or near-vertical stroke) and a stroke (the main diagonal).
Other letter parts such as bars, arms, stems, and bowls are collectively referred to as the strokes that make up a letterform.
In typography, a stroke can end in a number of ways. Examples include:
The Serif, including:
- The regular serif
- The bracketed serif
- The half-serif
The terminal, which is any stroke that does not end in a Serif
- The finial, a tapered or curved end
- The swash, an extended or decorative flourish that replaces a serif or terminal on a letter
- The lachrymal (or teardrop), as found in Caslon, Galliard, and Baskerville
- The ball, as found in Bodoni and Clarendon
- The beak, as found in Perpetua, Pontifex, and Ignatius
- Hooked
- Pear-shaped
One of the lines of a letter of the alphabet.