Stroke

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.


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