DL - Definition List

Syntax	<DL>...</DL>
Attribute Specifications	COMPACT (compact display) common attributes
Contents	One or more DT or DD elements
Contained in	APPLET, BLOCKQUOTE, BODY, BUTTON, CENTER, DD, DEL, DIV, FIELDSET, FORM, IFRAME, INS, LI, MAP, NOFRAMES, NOSCRIPT, OBJECT, TD, TH

The DL element defines a definition list. An entry in the list is created using the DT element for the term being defined and the DD element for the definition of the term.

A definition list can have multiple terms for a given definition as well as multiple definitions for a given term. Authors can also give a term without a corresponding definition, and vice versa, but such a structure rarely makes sense.

An example follows:

<DL>

  <DT>Block-level elements</DT>
  <DD>
    <P>
      In HTML, block-level elements may generally contain
      inline elements and other block-level elements. They are
      usually formatted differently than inline elements,
      typically on a new line in visual browsers.
    </P>
  </DD>

  <DT>Inline elements</DT>
  <DT>Text-level elements</DT>
  <DD>
    <P>
      Inline (or text-level) elements generally only contain
      character data and other inline elements.
    </P>
  </DD>

</DL>

The DL element can be adapted for use with structures that are not strict terms and definitions, a practice that is justified when other HTML elements cannot adequately describe a structure. Some examples follow:

<H1>Community Calendar</H1>

<DL CLASS=calendar>

  <DT>March 8</DT>
  <DD>
    The Symphony Orchestra presents <CITE>A Rising Star</CITE>
    at the Anderson Center. Call 555-1234 for details.
  </DD>

  <DT>March 10</DT>
  <DD>
    Bereaved Families Support Night, 7:00 to 9:00 at
    523 Main <ABBR TITLE=Street>St.</ABBR>
  </DD> 

</DL>

<DL CLASS=play>

  <DT>Brutus</DT>
  <DD CLASS="role Brutus">
    <P>
      I kiss thy hand, but not in flattery, Caesar;<BR>
      Desiring thee that Publius Cimber may<BR>
      Have an immediate freedom of repeal.
    </P>
  </DD>

  <DT>Caesar</DT>
  <DD CLASS="role Caesar">
    <P>
      What, Brutus!
    </P>
  </DD>

  <DT>Cassius</DT>
  <DD CLASS="role Cassius">
    <P>
      Pardon, Caesar; Caesar, pardon:<BR>
      As low as to thy foot doth Cassius fall,<BR>
      To beg enfranchisement for Publius Cimber.
    </P>
  </DD>

</DL>

Note the use of the CLASS attribute in the preceding examples. This allows the author to easily suggest, through style sheets, a distinguishing presentation for different kinds of definition lists.

In addition to the common attributes shared by most elements, DL takes a COMPACT attribute. This attribute, deprecated in HTML 4.0 and poorly supported among browsers, suggests that visual browsers render the list compactly, perhaps with reduced spacing between items.

More Information

Copyright © 1998 by Liam Quinn. This material may be distributed only subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Open Publication License, v1.0 or later (the latest version is presently available at http://www.opencontent.org/openpub/).

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