Glossary
A glossary is an alphabetical list of specialized words or terms with definitions, often placed at the end of a book or document.
Definition: A statement that explains the meaning of a word, phrase, or concept. Each glossary entry pairs a term with an explanation of its meaning.
Book design: The planning of a book's structure, typography, layout, and visual presentation. Book design determines how a glossary is placed and formatted for use.
Dictionary: A reference work that presents words with information such as meanings, pronunciations, and usage. A dictionary covers a language or substantial vocabulary; a glossary usually serves one document or subject.
Terminology management: The process of collecting, defining, organizing, and maintaining terms for consistent use. A glossary applies terminology management on the scale of a document or publication.
Technical terminology: Specialized vocabulary used within a particular field, profession, or activity. Glossaries collect terms whose meanings may be unfamiliar outside their fields.
Scientific publishing: The publication of research and scholarly work in scientific disciplines. Scientific papers and books use glossaries to explain field-specific terminology.
Index: An ordered list of topics or terms that points to where they appear in a larger work. An index locates passages, whereas a glossary explains specialized terms.
Plain language: Writing that communicates information clearly to its intended audience. Plain-language definitions make glossary entries understandable without sacrificing accuracy.
Headword: A word or phrase listed as an entry in a reference work. A glossary's entries are organized around headwords and their definitions.
Legal document: A written instrument that records legal rights, duties, rules, or agreements. Legal documents may define specialized terms in a dedicated glossary.