<def> Definition List: Definition
Definition, explanation, or expansion of a word, phrase, or abbreviation.
This element is used in two contexts:
- Within a two-part list (<def-list>),
<def> contains the definition or
description of a word or phrase. In this usage, <def> is half of a <term>/<def> pair within an item
(<def-item>) in the definition
The term <term> part of a definition item may be a term, a word, a phrase, a picture or icon, an equation, a variable, or anything else that is to be explained. The definition <def> part of an item in a two-part (definition) list need not be a “definition” in the strict dictionary sense of that word. Such a definition could be a discussion, explanation, expansion, or just a few words that tell the reader about the <term>. When a <def-list> is within a <glossary> element, the definitions are assumed to be real definitions.
- Within an <abbrev> element, <def> contains the definition or expansion of an abbreviation, acronym, or emoticon (“;-)”).
Models and Context
May be contained in
<!ELEMENT def %def-model; >
Expanded Content Model
With <term> in definition list
... <glossary> <def-list> <title>ABBREVIATIONS</title> <term-head>Abbreviation</term-head> <def-head>Expansion</def-head> <def-item> <term id="G1">PAP I</term> <def><p>poly(A)polymerase I</p></def> </def-item> <def-item> <term id="G2">PNPase</term> <def><p>polynucleotide phosphorylase</p></def> </def-item> <def-item>...</def-item> ... </def-list> </glossary> ...