serif

[ser-if]

noun Printing.

a smaller line used to finish off a main stroke of a letter, as at the top and bottom of M.

Also especially British, cer·iph.

Origin of serif

1835–45; perhaps < Dutch schreef line (in writing), akin to schrijven to write

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for serif

Historical Examples of serif

A very thin line or serif is apt to be lost in the background.
Writing & Illuminating, & Lettering
Edward Johnston
Serif—The short cross-line or tick at the end of the main strokes in roman letters.
Type
A. A. Stewart
Then start similarly at the extreme right-hand point of the bottom Serif, and cut the right side of the stroke.
Writing & Illuminating, & Lettering
Edward Johnston

British Dictionary definitions for serif

serif

rarely seriph

noun

printing a small line at the extremities of a main stroke in a type character

Word Origin for serif

C19: perhaps from Dutch schreef dash, probably of Germanic origin, compare Old High German screvōn to engrave

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for serif

in typography, 1841, earlier ceref (1827); see sans-serif.