thumb indexes
Alphabet edge cuts
Thumb indexes are semicircular notches cut into the fore edge of a book's pages, each labeled with a letter or section name, allowing readers to flip directly to a desired part.
Common in dictionaries, encyclopedias, and Bibles: The dictionary's thumb indexes made it easy to jump straight to the M's.
The singular refers to one such notch or to the system as a whole.
- biblesDefinitive reference works
- dividersThings that partition space
- markersPens with porous tips
- notchesV-shaped incisions
- labelsIdentifying markers attached to items
flip through · dictionaries · encyclopedias · cutouts · tabs · die-cutting · browse · easy access · atlases · pagination · sections · gilding · guides · cross-references · margins · gold leaf · navigation · edges
thumb indexesbookmarks
Reading position indicators
dog-earing · dog-eared pages · table of contents · sticky notes · paper clips
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