serif

     

In typography, serifs are non-structural etails on the ends of some of the strokes that make up letters and symbols. A font that has serifs is called a serif font (or seriffed font). A font without serifs is called sans-serif, from the French sans, meaning "without". Some typography sources refer to sans serif typefaces as "grotesque" (in German "grotesk") or "Gothic," and serif types as "Roman." These terms are no longer commonly used however, except in specific font names.

Trivia about serif

  • (Kelly of the Clue Crew does some calligraphy.) A small stroke that begins or ends a letter is called one of these; you may have seen them on your computer's font list