6. Constructing a Terminology Entry in a Glossary

A specific format is required for entries in a glossary, or for definitions of terms in general. Adherence to this format will facilitate its eventual incorporation in the 'Gold Book', and will also help to ensure that the term is explained accurately, logically and completely.

The general outline of the structure of a terminology entry is as follows. Annotations (which are not part of the terminology entry) are denoted as numbers in parentheses and are explained at the end of the section.

Note carefully:

  • use of punctuation and different typefaces, both of which should be as used in the outline
  • the first five entries, as appropriate, are placed on one line, or continued on the following line, if necessary.

entry number (1.), preferred term (2.), (acronym) (3.), word class (4.), symbol (5.)
synonym (6.)
deprecated term (6.)
obsolete term (6.)
superseded term (6.)
definition of term (7.)....cross-referenced term (8.)....reference (9.)
Note 1: (10.)
Note 2: (10.)
......
Example: (11.)
Related term(s): (12.)
References: (13.)

Explanation of Annotations:

  1. Entry numbers in a glossary are assigned successively to terms arranged in alphabetical order. If the glossary contains more than one section, terms are arranged in alphabetical order within sections, but the numerical order is continuous throughout the document. The main use of entry numbers is in editing, in review, and to facilitate transfer to the 'Gold Book'.
  2. Use lower-case bold type, except when a proper name is part of the term.
    For entries in inverted order, e.g., tracer, generally labelled, add on the following line 'See (entry in direct order)', e.g., 'See generally labelled tracer.'
    For homographic terms (those with the same spelling but different meanings), add an explanatory adjective in parentheses, and treat each term as a separate entry; e.g., 'configuration (electronic)', 'configuration (stereochemical)'.
    Cross-references are listed alphabetically along with other terms.
  3. Optional; printed in the same typeface as the preferred term.
  4. Word class (or part of speech) is necessary only if the term can be used as more than one part of speech, in which case the particular part of speech is identified as an italicized abbreviation; e.g., n. (noun), v. (verb), adj. (adjective), adv. (adverb).
  5. Required if appropriate; printed in the typeface as described below or in the 'Green Book' [ref. 3]. If used, the symbol should follow recommendations in the 'Green Book'.
  6. Add if necessary. Deprecated terms include those that have been in common use, but are not compatible with IUPAC recommendations; e.g., 'number of moles of X' instead of the recommended 'amount of X'. Obsolete terms include those that may be encountered in older literature, but are no longer in use; e.g., 'gram-molecular weight'. Superseded terms include those that can still be found in the literature, but can be expressed more logically in newer terms; e.g., 'specific gravity' instead of the more logical 'relative density'. The distinction between 'obsolete' and 'superseded' terms is clearly somewhat arbitrary. It is not expected that many terms will appear in glossaries under these classifications.
  7. For new definitions (those that have not appeared in previous IUPAC Recommendations), start the entry with a capital letter but do not use an article. The definition should be in the same word class (noun, adjective, verb, adverb) as the term itself.
    In defining terms involving a ratio of two quantities, do not use "ratio of" or "quotient of". The phrase "divided by" is recommended. Phrases like "x per unit y" should never be used, as they confuse physical quantities and units, and can be ambiguous.
  8. Cross-referenced terms are in italics.
  9. References can be added here as numbers in square brackets, e.g., [3]. If desired, they can be placed in introductory text. If a definition from the 'Gold Book' is included as part of a glossary, then specific reference to that publication should be made for completeness and as a signal to the compilers of the 'Gold Book'. If the 'Gold Book' definition is used with no changes, then no references other than to the 'Gold Book' are necessary. If, however, changes to the definition are recommended, additional supporting references should be added. Reference to the 'Gold Book' is preferably in the form: 'Gold Book online, 1997 entry', 'Gold Book online, 2003 entry', etc.
  10. Explanatory notes can be added here, as many as necessary.
  11. An example of use of the term can be given here.
  12. Related terms can be added here.
  13. The list of references should be added here. The format should follow that used in current issues of Pure and Applied Chemistry.

See specific examples in this pdf document.
These examples are taken from the 'Gold Book 1997' [ref. 1].