thumb-indexed

Notched for quick access

Thumb-indexed describes a book with stepped notches cut into the fore edge, each labeled with a letter or section name, allowing quick access to different parts.

Reference books like dictionaries and encyclopedias are often thumb-indexed: a thumb-indexed Bible, a thumb-indexed atlas.

bookbinding

cutouts

Removed sections, often decorative

notchesV-shaped incisions
tabsProjecting flaps for gripping
indentsSets back from margin

alphabetical · sections · dividers · margins · edges · pages · gilt-edged · bible · dictionary · encyclopedia

navigation

browsing

Casual examination of options

locatingDetermining position of
flippingTurning over rapidly
scanningSystematic visual examination

searching · cross-reference · lookup

Opposites

book navigation aids

thumb-indexedunindexed

Not organized for retrieval

unmarked

presence of indexing feature

thumb-indexedunindexed

Not organized for retrieval

plain · uncut

Family

thumb, index, indexed, indexing, indexes, indices, thumbs, thumbed, thumbing

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G