Letter Parts

Question 1

Ascender

Answer 1

element of a lowercase glyph that extends up beyond x-height of type-face (think the top of a d or b)

Question 2

Aperture

Answer 2

unclosed opening of negative space naturally created by the curvature of the glyph (think the bottom of a lower case e)

Question 3

Arm

Answer 3

Horizontal or upward stroke that connects with the glyph only on one end (arms of the letter K)

Question 4

Axis

Answer 4

The tilt of a glyph

Question 5

Baseline

Answer 5

The common point on which all characters in a line of type rest (the bottom of an a or q)

Question 6

Bowl

Answer 6

Curved line that connects with the stem of a glyph to enclose a negative space (think lowercase a)

Question 7

Cap Height

Answer 7

The top point of the capital letters in a typeface

Question 8

Counter

Answer 8

Interior element associated with a glyph (bowl of an a and the eye of an e or the round part of a p)

Question 9

Crossbar

Answer 9

Horizontal stroke that connects to a glyph at both ends (bar in an A or an H)

Question 10

Descender

Answer 10

Element of the typeface that extends downward below baseline of typeface (the bottom of a y or p)

Question 11

Ear

Answer 11

Ornamental swash typically found on the upper portion of a lowercase g

Question 12

Eye

Answer 12

Enclosed opening of space associated with lowercase characters (a, e, d, etc)

Question 13

Hook

Answer 13

Curving arc that connects a terminal with the rest of the glyph structure (think top curve of the f)

Question 14

Leg

Answer 14

Downward stroke that connects with the glyph only on one end (leg of an uppercase R)

Question 15

Link

Answer 15

Stroke that connects two counters together

Question 16

Loop

Answer 16

Descender feature typically associated with the bottom of the lowercase G

Question 17

Shoulders

Answer 17

An arch that connects with the stem of a glyph (top round part of the lowercase n)