HTML Level 1 and 2 Manual

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Element Index > Phrase Markup

<DFN> Element

Category: Phrase Markup
Period: HTML 2.0
Status: core

Description

Marks the defining instance of a term.

Syntax

<DFN>hypertext</DFN>

Attributes

None.

Usage Guidelines

• Use when a term is first defined.
• Put the actual definition nearby.
• Do not use every repeated occurrence as DFN.
• Useful in glossary pages and tutorials.

Common Mistakes

• Rendering varies; do not depend on a particular visual style.

Example Code

<P><DFN>Hypertext</DFN> is text that contains links to other text.

Authoring Note

Write the document first, then test it in a graphical browser and a text browser. The page should remain understandable if images fail, colours are ignored, or the browser uses its own fonts.

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