@c This is part of the Emacs manual.
-@c Copyright (C) 1985, 86, 87, 93, 94, 95, 1997 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
+@c Copyright (C) 1985, 1986, 1987, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2002,
+@c 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
@c See file emacs.texi for copying conditions.
@node Glossary, Key Index, Intro, Top
@unnumbered Glossary
key labeled @key{ALT} which is really a @key{META} key.) @xref{User
Input, Alt}.
-@item ASCII character
-An ASCII character is either an ASCII control character or an ASCII
+@item Argument
+See `numeric argument.'
+
+@item @acronym{ASCII} character
+An @acronym{ASCII} character is either an @acronym{ASCII} control character or an @acronym{ASCII}
printing character. @xref{User Input}.
-@item ASCII control character
-An ASCII control character is the Control version of an upper-case
+@item @acronym{ASCII} control character
+An @acronym{ASCII} control character is the Control version of an upper-case
letter, or the Control version of one of the characters @samp{@@[\]^_?}.
-@item ASCII printing character
-ASCII printing characters include letters, digits, space, and these
+@item @acronym{ASCII} printing character
+@acronym{ASCII} printing characters include letters, digits, space, and these
punctuation characters: @samp{!@@#$%^& *()_-+=|\~` @{@}[]:;"' <>,.?/}.
@item Auto Fill Mode
Auto Fill mode is a minor mode in which text that you insert is
-automatically broken into lines of fixed width. @xref{Filling}.
+automatically broken into lines of a given maximum width.
+@xref{Filling}.
@item Auto Saving
Auto saving is the practice of saving the contents of an Emacs buffer in
a specially-named file, so that the information will not be lost if the
buffer is lost due to a system error or user error. @xref{Auto Save}.
+@item Autoloading
+Emacs automatically loads Lisp libraries when a Lisp program requests a
+function or a variable from those libraries. This is called
+`autoloading'. @xref{Lisp Libraries}.
+
+@item Backtrace
+A backtrace is a trace of a series of function calls showing how a
+program arrived to a certain point. It is used mainly for finding and
+correcting bugs (q.v.@:). Emacs can display a backtrace when it signals
+an error or when you type @kbd{C-g} (see `quitting'). @xref{Checklist}.
+
@item Backup File
A backup file records the contents that a file had before the current
editing session. Emacs makes backup files automatically to help you
track down or cancel changes you later regret making. @xref{Backup}.
-@item Balance Parentheses
-Emacs can balance parentheses manually or automatically. Manual
-balancing is done by the commands to move over balanced expressions
-(@pxref{Lists}). Automatic balancing is done by blinking or
-highlighting the parenthesis that matches one just inserted
-(@pxref{Matching,,Matching Parens}).
+@item Balancing Parentheses
+Emacs can balance parentheses (or other matching delimiters) either
+manually or automatically. You do manual balancing with the commands
+to move over parenthetical groupings (@pxref{Moving by Parens}).
+Automatic balancing works by blinking or highlighting the delimiter
+that matches the one you just inserted (@pxref{Matching,,Matching
+Parens}).
+
+@item Balanced Expressions
+A balanced expression is a syntactically recognizable expression, such
+as a symbol, number, string constant, block, or parenthesized expression
+in C. @xref{Expressions,Balanced Expressions}.
+
+@item Balloon Help
+See `tooltips.'
+
+@item Base Buffer
+A base buffer is a buffer whose text is shared by an indirect buffer
+(q.v.@:).
@item Bind
To bind a key sequence means to give it a binding (q.v.@:).
Blank lines are lines that contain only whitespace. Emacs has several
commands for operating on the blank lines in the buffer.
+@item Bookmark
+Bookmarks are akin to registers (q.v.@:) in that they record positions
+in buffers to which you can return later. Unlike registers, bookmarks
+persist between Emacs sessions.
+
+@item Border
+A border is a thin space along the edge of the frame, used just for
+spacing, not for displaying anything. An Emacs frame has an ordinary
+external border, outside of everything including the menu bar, plus an
+internal border that surrounds the text windows and their scroll bars
+and separates them from the menu bar and tool bar. You can customize
+both borders with options and resources (@pxref{Borders X}). Borders
+are not the same as fringes (q.v.@:).
+
@item Buffer
The buffer is the basic editing unit; one buffer corresponds to one text
being edited. You can have several buffers, but at any time you are
-editing only one, the `selected' buffer, though several can be visible
-when you are using multiple windows (q.v.). Most buffers are visiting
+editing only one, the `current buffer,' though several can be visible
+when you are using multiple windows (q.v.@:). Most buffers are visiting
(q.v.@:) some file. @xref{Buffers}.
@item Buffer Selection History
Emacs buffer has been selected. This is used for choosing a buffer to
select. @xref{Buffers}.
+@item Bug
+A bug is an incorrect or unreasonable behavior of a program, or
+inaccurate or confusing documentation. Emacs developers treat bug
+reports, both in Emacs code and its documentation, very seriously and
+ask you to report any bugs you find. @xref{Bugs}.
+
@item Button Down Event
A button down event is the kind of input event generated right away when
-you press a mouse button. @xref{Mouse Buttons}.
+you press down on a mouse button. @xref{Mouse Buttons}.
+
+@item By Default
+See `default.'
+
+@item Byte Compilation
+See `compilation.'
@item @kbd{C-}
@kbd{C-} in the name of a character is an abbreviation for Control.
Emacs supports a number of character sets, each of which represents a
particular alphabet or script. @xref{International}.
+@item Character Terminal
+See `text-only terminal.'
+
@item Click Event
A click event is the kind of input event generated when you press a
mouse button and release it without moving the mouse. @xref{Mouse Buttons}.
+@item Clipboard
+A clipboard is a buffer provided by the window system for transferring
+text between applications. On the X Window system, the clipboard is
+provided in addition to the primary selection (q.v.@:); on MS-Windows and Mac,
+the clipboard is used @emph{instead} of the primary selection.
+@xref{Clipboard}.
+
@item Coding System
A coding system is an encoding for representing text characters in a
file or in a stream of information. Emacs has the ability to convert
binding (q.v.@:) is looked up in the relevant keymaps (q.v.@:) to find
the command to run. @xref{Commands}.
+@item Command History
+See `minibuffer history.'
+
@item Command Name
A command name is the name of a Lisp symbol which is a command
(@pxref{Commands}). You can invoke any command by its name using
-@kbd{M-x} (@pxref{M-x}).
+@kbd{M-x} (@pxref{M-x,M-x,Running Commands by Name}).
@item Comment
A comment is text in a program which is intended only for humans reading
when the program is loaded or compiled. Emacs offers special commands
for creating, aligning and killing comments. @xref{Comments}.
+@item Common Lisp
+Common Lisp is a dialect of Lisp (q.v.@:) much larger and more powerful
+than Emacs Lisp. Emacs provides a subset of Common Lisp in the CL
+package. @xref{Top, Common Lisp, Overview, cl, Common Lisp Extensions}.
+
@item Compilation
Compilation is the process of creating an executable program from source
code. Emacs has commands for compiling files of Emacs Lisp code
-(@pxref{Byte Compilation,, Byte Compilation, elisp, the Emacs Lisp
+(@pxref{Byte Compilation,,, elisp, the Emacs Lisp
Reference Manual}) and programs in C and other languages
(@pxref{Compilation}).
When a line of text is longer than the width of the window, it
takes up more than one screen line when displayed. We say that the
text line is continued, and all screen lines used for it after the
-first are called continuation lines. @xref{Basic,Continuation,Basic
-Editing}.
+first are called continuation lines. @xref{Continuation Lines}.
+A related Emacs feature is `filling' (q.v.@:).
@item Control Character
A control character is a character that you type by holding down the
@item Copyleft
A copyleft is a notice giving the public legal permission to
-redistribute a program or other work of art. Copylefts are used by
-left-wing programmers to promote freedom and cooperation, just as
-copyrights are used by right-wing programmers to gain power over other
-people.
+redistribute and modify a program or other work of art, but requiring
+modified versions to carry similar permission. Copyright is normally
+used to keep users divided and helpless; with copyleft we turn that
+around to empower users and encourage them to cooperate.
The particular form of copyleft used by the GNU project is called the
GNU General Public License. @xref{Copying}.
+@item @key{CTRL}
+The @key{CTRL} or ``control'' key is what you hold down
+in order to enter a control character (q.v.).
+
@item Current Buffer
The current buffer in Emacs is the Emacs buffer on which most editing
commands operate. You can select any Emacs buffer as the current one.
@xref{Buffers}.
@item Current Line
-The line point is on (@pxref{Point}).
+The current line is the line that point is on (@pxref{Point}).
@item Current Paragraph
-The paragraph that point is in. If point is between paragraphs, the
-current paragraph is the one that follows point. @xref{Paragraphs}.
+The current paragraph is the paragraph that point is in. If point is
+between two paragraphs, the current paragraph is the one that follows
+point. @xref{Paragraphs}.
@item Current Defun
-The defun (q.v.@:) that point is in. If point is between defuns, the
-current defun is the one that follows point. @xref{Defuns}.
+The current defun is the defun (q.v.@:) that point is in. If point is
+between defuns, the current defun is the one that follows point.
+@xref{Defuns}.
@item Cursor
The cursor is the rectangle on the screen which indicates the position
called point (q.v.@:) at which insertion and deletion takes place.
The cursor is on or under the character that follows point. Often
people speak of `the cursor' when, strictly speaking, they mean
-`point'. @xref{Basic,Cursor,Basic Editing}.
+`point.' @xref{Point,Cursor}.
@item Customization
Customization is making minor changes in the way Emacs works. It is
-often done by setting variables (@pxref{Variables}) or by rebinding
-key sequences (@pxref{Keymaps}).
+often done by setting variables (@pxref{Variables}) or faces
+(@pxref{Face Customization}), or by rebinding key sequences
+(@pxref{Keymaps}).
+
+@cindex cut and paste
+@item Cut and Paste
+See `killing' and `yanking.'
@item Default Argument
The default for an argument is the value that will be assumed if you
the default argument is used if you just type @key{RET}.
@xref{Minibuffer}.
+@item Default
+A default is the value that is used for a certain purpose if and when
+you do not specify a value to use.
+
@item Default Directory
When you specify a file name that does not start with @samp{/} or @samp{~},
it is interpreted relative to the current buffer's default directory.
+(On MS-Windows and MS-DOS, file names which start with a drive letter
+@samp{@var{x}:} are treated as absolute, not relative.)
@xref{Minibuffer File,Default Directory}.
@item Defun
-A defun is a list at the top level of parenthesis or bracket structure
-in a program. It is so named because most such lists in Lisp programs
-are calls to the Lisp function @code{defun}. @xref{Defuns}.
+A defun is a major definition at the top level in a program. The name
+`defun' comes from Lisp, where most such definitions use the construct
+@code{defun}. @xref{Defuns}.
@item @key{DEL}
-@key{DEL} is a character that runs the command to delete one character of
-text. @xref{Basic,DEL,Basic Editing}.
+@key{DEL} is a character that runs the command to delete one character
+of text before the cursor. It is typically either the @key{DELETE}
+key or the @key{BACKSPACE} key, whichever one is easy to type.
+@xref{Erasing,DEL}.
@item Deletion
Deletion means erasing text without copying it into the kill ring
@item Deletion of Files
Deleting a file means erasing it from the file system.
-@xref{Misc File Ops}.
+@xref{Misc File Ops,Misc File Ops,Miscellaneous File Operations}.
@item Deletion of Messages
Deleting a message means flagging it to be eliminated from your mail
confusing for beginning users. @xref{Disabling}.
@item Down Event
-Short for `button down event'.
+Short for `button down event' (q.v.@:).
@item Drag Event
A drag event is the kind of input event generated when you press a mouse
Buttons}.
@item Dribble File
-A file into which Emacs writes all the characters that the user types
-on the keyboard. Dribble files are used to make a record for
-debugging Emacs bugs. Emacs does not make a dribble file unless you
+A dribble file is a file into which Emacs writes all the characters that
+you type on the keyboard. Dribble files are used to make a record
+for debugging Emacs bugs. Emacs does not make a dribble file unless you
tell it to. @xref{Bugs}.
@item Echo Area
The echo area is the bottom line of the screen, used for echoing the
-arguments to commands, for asking questions, and printing brief messages
+arguments to commands, for asking questions, and showing brief messages
(including error messages). The messages are stored in the buffer
@samp{*Messages*} so you can review them later. @xref{Echo Area}.
@item Echoing
-Echoing is acknowledging the receipt of commands by displaying them (in
-the echo area). Emacs never echoes single-character key sequences;
-longer key sequences echo only if you pause while typing them.
+Echoing is acknowledging the receipt of input events by displaying
+them (in the echo area). Emacs never echoes single-character key
+sequences; longer key sequences echo only if you pause while typing
+them.
@item Electric
We say that a character is electric if it is normally self-inserting
-(q.v.), but the current major mode (q.v.) redefines it to do something
+(q.v.@:), but the current major mode (q.v.@:) redefines it to do something
else as well. For example, some programming language major modes define
particular delimiter characters to reindent the line or insert one or
more newlines in addition to self-insertion.
+@item End Of Line
+End of line is a character or a sequence of characters that indicate
+the end of a text line. On GNU and Unix systems, this is a newline
+(q.v.@:), but other systems have other conventions. @xref{Coding
+Systems,end-of-line}. Emacs can recognize several end-of-line
+conventions in files and convert between them.
+
+@item Environment Variable
+An environment variable is one of a collection of variables stored by
+the operating system, each one having a name and a value. Emacs can
+access environment variables set by its parent shell, and it can set
+variables in the environment it passes to programs it invokes.
+@xref{Environment}.
+
+@item EOL
+See `end of line.'
+
@item Error
An error occurs when an Emacs command cannot execute in the current
circumstances. When an error occurs, execution of the command stops
(unless the command has been programmed to do otherwise) and Emacs
-reports the error by printing an error message (q.v.@:). Type-ahead
+reports the error by displaying an error message (q.v.@:). Type-ahead
is discarded. Then Emacs is ready to read another editing command.
@item Error Message
typed), you press the @key{ESC} key as you would press a letter key, and
it applies to the next character you type.
+@item Expression
+See `balanced expression.'
+
@item Expunging
-Expunging an Rmail file or Dired buffer is an operation that truly
-discards the messages or files you have previously flagged for deletion.
+Expunging an Rmail file or Dired buffer or a Gnus newsgroup buffer is an
+operation that truly discards the messages or files you have previously
+flagged for deletion.
+
+@item Face
+A face is a style of displaying characters. It specifies attributes
+such as font family and size, foreground and background colors,
+underline and strike-through, background stipple, etc. Emacs provides
+features to associate specific faces with portions of buffer text, in
+order to display that text as specified by the face attributes.
+@xref{Faces}.
@item File Locking
-Emacs used file locking to notice when two different users
+Emacs uses file locking to notice when two different users
start to edit one file at the same time. @xref{Interlocking}.
@item File Name
directory, but an absolute file name refers to the same file regardless
of which directory is current. On GNU and Unix systems, an absolute
file name starts with a slash (the root directory) or with @samp{~/} or
-@samp{~@var{user}/} (a home directory).
+@samp{~@var{user}/} (a home directory). On MS-Windows/MS-DOS, an
+absolute file name can also start with a drive letter and a colon
+@samp{@var{d}:}.
Some people use the term ``pathname'' for file names, but we do not;
-we use the word ``path'' only in the term ``search path'' (q.v.).
+we use the word ``path'' only in the term ``search path'' (q.v.@:).
@item File-Name Component
A file-name component names a file directly within a particular
file-name components, separated by slashes. For example, @file{foo/bar}
is a file name containing two components, @samp{foo} and @samp{bar}; it
refers to the file named @samp{bar} in the directory named @samp{foo} in
-the current directory.
+the current directory. MS-DOS/MS-Windows file names can also use
+backslashes to separate components, as in @file{foo\bar}.
@item Fill Prefix
The fill prefix is a string that should be expected at the beginning
@item Filling
Filling text means shifting text between consecutive lines so that all
-the lines are approximately the same length. @xref{Filling}.
+the lines are approximately the same length. @xref{Filling}. Some
+other editors call this feature `line wrapping.'
+
+@item Font Lock
+Font Lock is a mode that highlights parts of buffer text according to
+its syntax. @xref{Font Lock}.
+
+@item Fontset
+A fontset is a named collection of fonts. A fontset specification lists
+character sets and which font to use to display each of them. Fontsets
+make it easy to change several fonts at once by specifying the name of a
+fontset, rather than changing each font separately. @xref{Fontsets}.
@item Formatted Text
Formatted text is text that displays with formatting information while
you edit. Formatting information includes fonts, colors, and specified
margins. @xref{Formatted Text}.
+@item Formfeed Character
+See `page.'
+
@item Frame
A frame is a rectangular cluster of Emacs windows. Emacs starts out
with one frame, but you can create more. You can subdivide each frame
-into Emacs windows (q.v.). When you are using a windowing system, all
-the frames can be visible at the same time. @xref{Frames}.
+into Emacs windows (q.v.@:). When you are using a window system
+(q.v.@:), all the frames can be visible at the same time.
+@xref{Frames}. Some other editors use the term ``window'' for this,
+but in Emacs a window means something else.
+
+@item Fringe
+On a graphical display (q.v.@:), there's a narrow portion of the
+frame (q.v.@:) between the text area and the window's border. Emacs
+displays the fringe using a special face (q.v.@:) called
+@code{fringe}. @xref{Faces,fringe}.
+
+@item FTP
+FTP is an acronym for File Transfer Protocol. Emacs uses an FTP client
+program to provide access to remote files (q.v.@:).
@item Function Key
A function key is a key on the keyboard that sends input but does not
correspond to any character. @xref{Function Keys}.
@item Global
-Global means `independent of the current environment; in effect
-throughout Emacs'. It is the opposite of local (q.v.@:). Particular
+Global means ``independent of the current environment; in effect
+throughout Emacs.'' It is the opposite of local (q.v.@:). Particular
examples of the use of `global' appear below.
@item Global Abbrev
keymap (q.v.@:). @xref{Keymaps}.
@item Global Mark Ring
-The global mark ring records the series of buffers you have recently set
-a mark in. In many cases you can use this to backtrack through buffers
-you have been editing in, or in which you have found tags. @xref{Global
-Mark Ring}.
+The global mark ring records the series of buffers you have recently
+set a mark (q.v.@:) in. In many cases you can use this to backtrack
+through buffers you have been editing in, or in which you have found
+tags (see `tags table'). @xref{Global Mark Ring}.
@item Global Substitution
Global substitution means replacing each occurrence of one string by
-another string through a large amount of text. @xref{Replace}.
+another string throughout a large amount of text. @xref{Replace}.
@item Global Variable
The global value of a variable (q.v.@:) takes effect in all buffers
Control (q.v.@:) characters are graphic characters. These include
letters, digits, punctuation, and spaces; they do not include
@key{RET} or @key{ESC}. In Emacs, typing a graphic character inserts
-that character (in ordinary editing modes). @xref{Basic,,Basic Editing}.
+that character (in ordinary editing modes). @xref{Inserting Text}.
+
+@item Graphical Display
+A graphical display is one that can display images and multiple fonts.
+Usually it also has a window system (q.v.@:).
@item Highlighting
Highlighting text means displaying it with a different foreground and/or
background color to make it stand out from the rest of the text in the
buffer.
+Emacs uses highlighting in several ways. When you mark a region with
+the mouse, the region is always highlighted. Optionally Emacs can
+also highlight the region whenever it is active (@pxref{Transient
+Mark}). Incremental search also highlights matches (@pxref{Incremental
+Search}). See also `font lock'.
+
@item Hardcopy
Hardcopy means printed output. Emacs has commands for making printed
-listings of text in Emacs buffers. @xref{Hardcopy}.
+listings of text in Emacs buffers. @xref{Printing}.
@item @key{HELP}
@key{HELP} is the Emacs name for @kbd{C-h} or @key{F1}. You can type
@key{HELP} at any time to ask what options you have, or to ask what any
command does. @xref{Help}.
+@item Help Echo
+Help echo is a short message displayed in the echo area when the mouse
+pointer is located on portions of display that require some
+explanations. Emacs displays help echo for menu items, parts of the
+mode line, tool-bar buttons, etc. On graphics displays, the messages
+can be displayed as tooltips (q.v.@:). @xref{Tooltips}.
+
+@item Hook
+A hook is a list of functions to be called on specific occasions, such
+as saving a buffer in a file, major mode activation, etc. By
+customizing the various hooks, you can modify Emacs's behavior without
+changing any of its code. @xref{Hooks}.
+
@item Hyper
Hyper is the name of a modifier bit which a keyboard input character may
have. To make a character Hyper, type it while holding down the
mail is then stored permanently or until explicitly deleted.
@xref{Rmail Inbox}.
+@item Incremental Search
+Emacs provides an incremental search facility, whereby Emacs searches
+for the string as you type it. @xref{Incremental Search}.
+
@item Indentation
Indentation means blank space at the beginning of a line. Most
programming languages have conventions for using indentation to
@item Indirect Buffer
An indirect buffer is a buffer that shares the text of another buffer,
-called its base buffer. @xref{Indirect Buffers}.
+called its base buffer (q.v.@:). @xref{Indirect Buffers}.
+
+@item Info
+Info is the hypertext format used by the GNU project for writing
+documentation.
@item Input Event
An input event represents, within Emacs, one action taken by the user on
frames. @xref{User Input}.
@item Input Method
-An input method is a system for entering non-ASCII text characters by
-typing sequences of ASCII characters (q.v.@:). @xref{Input Methods}.
+An input method is a system for entering non-@acronym{ASCII} text characters by
+typing sequences of @acronym{ASCII} characters (q.v.@:). @xref{Input Methods}.
@item Insertion
Insertion means copying text into the buffer, either from the keyboard
@item Interlocking
Interlocking is a feature for warning when you start to alter a file
-that someone else is already editing. @xref{Interlocking,,Simultaneous
-Editing}.
+that someone else is already editing.
+@xref{Interlocking,Interlocking,Simultaneous Editing}.
+
+@item Isearch
+See `incremental search.'
@item Justification
-Justification means adding extra spaces to lines of text to make them
-come exactly to a specified width. @xref{Filling,Justification}.
+Justification means adding extra spaces within lines of text to make
+them extend exactly to a specified width.
+@xref{Format Justification}.
+
+@item Keybinding
+See `binding.'
@item Keyboard Macro
Keyboard macros are a way of defining new Emacs commands from
sequences of existing ones, with no need to write a Lisp program.
@xref{Keyboard Macros}.
+@cindex keyboard shortcuts
+@item Keyboard Shortcut
+A keyboard shortcut is a key sequence (q.v.@:) which invokes a
+command. What some programs call ``assigning a keyboard shortcut,''
+Emacs calls ``binding a key sequence.'' See `binding.'
+
@item Key Sequence
A key sequence (key, for short) is a sequence of input events (q.v.@:)
that are meaningful as a single unit. If the key sequence is enough to
@item Keyboard Translation Table
The keyboard translation table is an array that translates the character
codes that come from the terminal into the character codes that make up
-key sequences. @xref{Keyboard Translations}.
+key sequences.
@item Kill Ring
The kill ring is where all text you have killed recently is saved.
@item Killing
Killing means erasing text and saving it on the kill ring so it can be
yanked (q.v.@:) later. Some other systems call this ``cutting.''
-Most Emacs commands to erase text do killing, as opposed to deletion
-(q.v.@:). @xref{Killing}.
+Most Emacs commands that erase text perform killing, as opposed to
+deletion (q.v.@:). @xref{Killing}.
-@item Killing Jobs
+@item Killing a Job
Killing a job (such as, an invocation of Emacs) means making it cease
to exist. Any data within it, if not saved in a file, is lost.
@xref{Exiting}.
@item Language Environment
Your choice of language environment specifies defaults for the input
method (q.v.@:) and coding system (q.v.@:). @xref{Language
-Environments}. These defaults are relevant if you edit non-ASCII text
+Environments}. These defaults are relevant if you edit non-@acronym{ASCII} text
(@pxref{International}).
+@item Line Wrapping
+See `filling.'
+
+@item Lisp
+Lisp is a programming language. Most of Emacs is written in a dialect
+of Lisp, called Emacs Lisp, that is extended with special features which
+make it especially suitable for text editing tasks.
+
@item List
A list is, approximately, a text string beginning with an open
parenthesis and ending with the matching close parenthesis. In C mode
and other non-Lisp modes, groupings surrounded by other kinds of matched
delimiters appropriate to the language, such as braces, are also
considered lists. Emacs has special commands for many operations on
-lists. @xref{Lists}.
+lists. @xref{Moving by Parens}.
@item Local
-Local means `in effect only in a particular context'; the relevant
+Local means ``in effect only in a particular context''; the relevant
kind of context is a particular function execution, a particular
buffer, or a particular major mode. It is the opposite of `global'
(q.v.@:). Specific uses of `local' in Emacs terminology appear below.
@item @kbd{M-}
@kbd{M-} in the name of a character is an abbreviation for @key{META},
one of the modifier keys that can accompany any character.
-@xref{User Input}.
+@xref{User Input,M-}.
@item @kbd{M-C-}
@kbd{M-C-} in the name of a character is an abbreviation for
@item @kbd{M-x}
@kbd{M-x} is the key sequence which is used to call an Emacs command by
name. This is how you run commands that are not bound to key sequences.
-@xref{M-x}.
+@xref{M-x,M-x,Running Commands by Name}.
@item Mail
Mail means messages sent from one user to another through the computer
which configures Emacs for editing a certain sort of text. Ideally,
each programming language has its own major mode. @xref{Major Modes}.
+@item Margin
+The space between the usable part of a window (including the
+fringe) and the window edge.
+
@item Mark
The mark points to a position in the text. It specifies one end of the
region (q.v.@:), point being the other end. Many commands operate on
@item Mark Ring
The mark ring is used to hold several recent previous locations of the
mark, just in case you want to move back to them. Each buffer has its
-own mark ring; in addition, there is a single global mark ring (q.v.).
+own mark ring; in addition, there is a single global mark ring (q.v.@:).
@xref{Mark Ring}.
@item Menu Bar
a keyboard interface to navigate it. @xref{Menu Bars}.
@item Message
-See `mail'.
+See `mail.'
@item Meta
-Meta is the name of a modifier bit which a command character may have.
-It is present in a character if the character is typed with the
-@key{META} key held down. Such characters are given names that start
-with @kbd{Meta-} (usually written @kbd{M-} for short). For example,
-@kbd{M-<} is typed by holding down @key{META} and at the same time
-typing @kbd{<} (which itself is done, on most terminals, by holding
-down @key{SHIFT} and typing @kbd{,}). @xref{User Input,Meta}.
+Meta is the name of a modifier bit which you can use in a command
+character. To enter a meta character, you hold down the @key{META}
+key while typing the character. We refer to such characters with
+names that start with @kbd{Meta-} (usually written @kbd{M-} for
+short). For example, @kbd{M-<} is typed by holding down @key{META}
+and at the same time typing @kbd{<} (which itself is done, on most
+terminals, by holding down @key{SHIFT} and typing @kbd{,}).
+@xref{User Input,Meta}.
+
+On some terminals, the @key{META} key is actually labeled @key{ALT}
+or @key{EDIT}.
@item Meta Character
A Meta character is one whose character code includes the Meta bit.
command to turn it on or off. @xref{Minor Modes}.
@item Minor Mode Keymap
-A keymap that belongs to a minor mode and is active when that mode is
-enabled. Minor mode keymaps take precedence over the buffer's local
-keymap, just as the local keymap takes precedence over the global
-keymap. @xref{Keymaps}.
+A minor mode keymap is a keymap that belongs to a minor mode and is
+active when that mode is enabled. Minor mode keymaps take precedence
+over the buffer's local keymap, just as the local keymap takes
+precedence over the global keymap. @xref{Keymaps}.
@item Mode Line
The mode line is the line at the bottom of each window (q.v.@:), giving
@item Moving Text
Moving text means erasing it from one place and inserting it in
-another. The usual way to move text by killing (q.v.@:) and then
-yanking (q.v.@:). @xref{Killing}.
+another. The usual way to move text is by killing (q.v.@:) it and then
+yanking (q.v.@:) it. @xref{Killing}.
@item MULE
-MULE refers to the Emacs features for editing non-ASCII text
+MULE refers to the Emacs features for editing multilingual non-@acronym{ASCII} text
using multibyte characters (q.v.@:). @xref{International}.
@item Multibyte Character
-A multibyte character is a character that takes up several buffer
-positions. Emacs uses multibyte characters to represent non-ASCII text,
-since the number of non-ASCII characters is much more than 256.
-@xref{International Intro}.
+A multibyte character is a character that takes up several bytes in a
+buffer. Emacs uses multibyte characters to represent non-@acronym{ASCII} text,
+since the number of non-@acronym{ASCII} characters is much more than 256.
+@xref{International Chars, International Characters}.
@item Named Mark
A named mark is a register (q.v.@:) in its role of recording a
@item Narrowing
Narrowing means creating a restriction (q.v.@:) that limits editing in
the current buffer to only a part of the text in the buffer. Text
-outside that part is inaccessible to the user until the boundaries are
+outside that part is inaccessible for editing until the boundaries are
widened again, but it is still there, and saving the file saves it
all. @xref{Narrowing}.
Control-J characters in the buffer terminate lines of text and are
therefore also called newlines. @xref{Text Characters,Newline}.
+@cindex nil
+@cindex t
+@item @code{nil}
+@code{nil} is a value usually interpreted as a logical ``false.'' Its
+opposite is @code{t}, interpreted as ``true.''
+
@item Numeric Argument
A numeric argument is a number, specified before a command, to change
the effect of the command. Often the numeric argument serves as a
it to the right. @xref{Minor Modes}.
@item Page
-A page is a unit of text, delimited by formfeed characters (ASCII
+A page is a unit of text, delimited by formfeed characters (@acronym{ASCII}
control-L, code 014) coming at the beginning of a line. Some Emacs
commands are provided for moving over and operating on pages.
@xref{Pages}.
Point is the place in the buffer at which insertion and deletion
occur. Point is considered to be between two characters, not at one
character. The terminal's cursor (q.v.@:) indicates the location of
-point. @xref{Basic,Point}.
-
+point. @xref{Point}.
+
@item Prefix Argument
-See `numeric argument'.
+See `numeric argument.'
@item Prefix Key
A prefix key is a key sequence (q.v.@:) whose sole function is to
uses the primary selection when appropriate. @xref{Killing}.
@item Prompt
-A prompt is text printed to ask the user for input. Displaying a prompt
+A prompt is text used to ask the user for input. Displaying a prompt
is called prompting. Emacs prompts always appear in the echo area
(q.v.@:). One kind of prompting happens when the minibuffer is used to
read an argument (@pxref{Minibuffer}); the echoing which happens when
you pause in the middle of typing a multi-character key sequence is also
a kind of prompting (@pxref{Echo Area}).
+@item Query-Replace
+Query-replace is an interactive string replacement feature provided by
+Emacs. @xref{Query Replace}.
+
@item Quitting
Quitting means canceling a partially typed command or a running
command, using @kbd{C-g} (or @kbd{C-@key{BREAK}} on MS-DOS). @xref{Quitting}.
inserts itself; so in this context, a special character is any character
that does not normally insert itself (such as @key{DEL}, for example),
and quoting it makes it insert itself as if it were not special. Not
-all contexts allow quoting. @xref{Basic,Quoting,Basic Editing}.
+all contexts allow quoting. @xref{Inserting Text,Quoting}.
@item Quoting File Names
Quoting a file name turns off the special significance of constructs
@item Rectangle
A rectangle consists of the text in a given range of columns on a given
range of lines. Normally you specify a rectangle by putting point at
-one corner and putting the mark at the opposite corner.
+one corner and putting the mark at the diagonally opposite corner.
@xref{Rectangles}.
@item Recursive Editing Level
A recursive editing level is a state in which part of the execution of
-a command involves asking the user to edit some text. This text may
+a command involves asking you to edit some text. This text may
or may not be the same as the text to which the command was applied.
The mode line indicates recursive editing levels with square brackets
(@samp{[} and @samp{]}). @xref{Recursive Edit}.
@xref{Screen,Redisplay}.
@item Regexp
-See `regular expression'.
+See `regular expression.'
@item Region
The region is the text between point (q.v.@:) and the mark (q.v.@:).
Many commands operate on the text of the region. @xref{Mark,Region}.
-@item Registers
+@item Register
Registers are named slots in which text or buffer positions or
-rectangles can be saved for later use. @xref{Registers}.
+rectangles can be saved for later use. @xref{Registers}. A related
+Emacs feature is `bookmarks' (q.v.@:).
@item Regular Expression
A regular expression is a pattern that can match various text strings;
-for example, @samp{l[0-9]+} matches @samp{l} followed by one or more
+for example, @samp{a[0-9]+} matches @samp{a} followed by one or more
digits. @xref{Regexps}.
+@item Remote File
+A remote file is a file that is stored on a system other than your own.
+Emacs can access files on other computers provided that they are
+connected to the same network as your machine, and (obviously) that
+you have a supported method to gain access to those files.
+@xref{Remote Files}.
+
@item Repeat Count
-See `numeric argument'.
+See `numeric argument.'
@item Replacement
-See `global substitution'.
+See `global substitution.'
@item Restriction
A buffer's restriction is the amount of text, at the beginning or the
end of the buffer, that is temporarily inaccessible. Giving a buffer a
-nonzero amount of restriction is called narrowing (q.v.@:).
-@xref{Narrowing}.
+nonzero amount of restriction is called narrowing (q.v.@:); removing
+a restriction is called widening (q.v.@:). @xref{Narrowing}.
@item @key{RET}
@key{RET} is a character that in Emacs runs the command to insert a
newline into the text. It is also used to terminate most arguments
read in the minibuffer (q.v.@:). @xref{User Input,Return}.
+@item Reverting
+Reverting means returning to the original state. Emacs lets you
+revert a buffer by re-reading its file from disk. @xref{Reverting}.
+
@item Rmail File
An Rmail file is a file containing text in a special format used by
Rmail for storing mail. @xref{Rmail}.
@item Scrolling
Scrolling means shifting the text in the Emacs window so as to see a
-different part of the buffer. @xref{Display,Scrolling}.
+different part of the buffer. @xref{Scrolling}.
@item Searching
Searching means moving point to the next occurrence of a specified
applications. Emacs has special mouse commands for transferring text
using the secondary selection. @xref{Secondary Selection}.
-@item Selecting
+@item Selected Frame
+The selected frame is the one your input currently operates on.
+@xref{Frames}.
+
+@item Selected Window
+The selected frame is the one your input currently operates on.
+@xref{Basic Window}.
+
+@item Selecting a Buffer
Selecting a buffer means making it the current (q.v.@:) buffer.
-@xref{Buffers,Selecting}.
+@xref{Select Buffer}.
@item Selection
-The X window system allows an application program to specify named
+Windowing systems allow an application program to specify
selections whose values are text. A program can also read the
selections that other programs have set up. This is the principal way
of transferring text between window applications. Emacs has commands to
work with the primary (q.v.@:) selection and the secondary (q.v.@:)
-selection.
+selection, and also with the clipboard (q.v.@:).
@item Self-Documentation
Self-documentation is the feature of Emacs which can tell you what any
@xref{Sentences}.
@item Sexp
-A sexp (short for `s-expression') is the basic syntactic unit of Lisp
-in its textual form: either a list, or Lisp atom. Many Emacs commands
-operate on sexps. The term `sexp' is generalized to languages other
-than Lisp, to mean a syntactically recognizable expression.
-@xref{Lists,Sexps}.
+A sexp (short for ``s-expression'') is the basic syntactic unit of
+Lisp in its textual form: either a list, or Lisp atom. Sexps are also
+the balanced expressions (q.v.@:) of the Lisp language; this is why
+the commands for editing balanced expressions have `sexp' in their
+name. @xref{Expressions,Sexps}.
@item Simultaneous Editing
Simultaneous editing means two users modifying the same file at once.
-Simultaneous editing if not detected can cause one user to lose his
-work. Emacs detects all cases of simultaneous editing and warns one of
-the users to investigate. @xref{Interlocking,,Simultaneous Editing}.
+Simultaneous editing, if not detected, can cause one user to lose his
+or her work. Emacs detects all cases of simultaneous editing, and
+warns one of the users to investigate.
+@xref{Interlocking,Interlocking,Simultaneous Editing}.
+
+@item @key{SPC}
+@key{SPC} is the space character, which you enter by pressing the
+space bar.
+
+@item Speedbar
+The speedbar is a special tall frame that provides fast access to Emacs
+buffers, functions within those buffers, Info nodes, and other
+interesting parts of text within Emacs. @xref{Speedbar}.
+
+@item Spell Checking
+Spell checking means checking correctness of the written form of each
+one of the words in a text. Emacs uses the Ispell spelling-checker
+program to check the spelling of parts of a buffer via a convenient user
+interface. @xref{Spelling}.
@item String
A string is a kind of Lisp data object which contains a sequence of
@item String Substitution
See `global substitution'.
+@item Syntax Highlighting
+See `font lock.'
+
@item Syntax Table
The syntax table tells Emacs which characters are part of a word,
which characters balance each other like parentheses, etc.
@kbd{Super-} (usually written @kbd{s-} for short). @xref{User Input,
Super}.
+@item Suspending
+Suspending Emacs means stopping it temporarily and returning control
+to its parent process, which is usually a shell. Unlike killing a job
+(q.v.@:), you can later resume the suspended Emacs job without losing
+your buffers, unsaved edits, undo history, etc. @xref{Exiting}.
+
+@item @key{TAB}
+@key{TAB} is the tab character. In Emacs it is typically used for
+indentation or completion.
+
@item Tags Table
A tags table is a file that serves as an index to the function
definitions in one or more other files. @xref{Tags}.
@xref{Bugs}.
@item Text
-Two meanings (@pxref{Text}):
+`Text' has two meanings (@pxref{Text}):
@itemize @bullet
@item
Data consisting of a sequence of characters, as opposed to binary
-numbers, images, graphics commands, executable programs, and the like.
-The contents of an Emacs buffer are always text in this sense.
+numbers, executable programs, and the like. The basic contents of an
+Emacs buffer (aside from the text properties, q.v.@:) are always text
+in this sense.
@item
Data consisting of written human language, as opposed to programs,
or following the stylistic conventions of human language.
@end itemize
+@item Text-only Terminal
+A text-only terminal is a display that is limited to displaying text in
+character units. Such a terminal cannot control individual pixels it
+displays. Emacs supports a subset of display features on text-only
+terminals.
+
+@item Text Properties
+Text properties are annotations recorded for particular characters in
+the buffer. Images in the buffer are recorded as text properties;
+they also specify formatting information. @xref{Editing Format Info}.
+
@item Tool Bar
The tool bar is a line (sometimes multiple lines) of icons at the top
of an Emacs frame. Clicking on one of these icons executes a command.
-You can think of this as a graphical relative of the menu bar (q.v.).
-@xref{Tool Bar}.
+You can think of this as a graphical relative of the menu bar (q.v.@:).
+@xref{Tool Bars}.
+
+@item Tooltips
+Tooltips are small windows displaying a help echo (q.v.@:) text that
+explains parts of the display, lists useful options available via mouse
+clicks, etc. @xref{Tooltips}.
@item Top Level
Top level is the normal state of Emacs, in which you are editing the
@item Transposition
Transposing two units of text means putting each one into the place
formerly occupied by the other. There are Emacs commands to transpose
-two adjacent characters, words, sexps (q.v.@:) or lines
+two adjacent characters, words, balanced expressions (q.v.@:) or lines
(@pxref{Transpose}).
@item Truncation
Truncating text lines in the display means leaving out any text on a
line that does not fit within the right margin of the window
-displaying it. See also `continuation line'.
-@xref{Basic,Truncation,Basic Editing}.
+displaying it. See also `continuation line.'
+@xref{Continuation Lines,Truncation}.
+
+@item TTY
+See `text-only terminal.'
@item Undoing
Undoing means making your previous editing go in reverse, bringing
@xref{Undo}.
@item User Option
-A user option is a variable (q.v.@:) that exists so that you can customize
-Emacs by setting it to a new value. @xref{Variables}.
+A user option is a face (q.v.@:) or a variable (q.v.@:) that exists so
+that you can customize Emacs by setting it to a new value.
+@xref{Easy Customization}.
@item Variable
A variable is an object in Lisp that can store an arbitrary value.
as `user options' (q.v.@:)) just so that you can set their values to
control the behavior of Emacs. The variables used in Emacs that you
are likely to be interested in are listed in the Variables Index in
-this manual. @xref{Variables}, for information on variables.
+this manual (@pxref{Variable Index}). @xref{Variables}, for
+information on variables.
@item Version Control
Version control systems keep track of multiple versions of a source file.
Emacs divides a frame (q.v.@:) into one or more windows, each of which
can display the contents of one buffer (q.v.@:) at any time.
@xref{Screen}, for basic information on how Emacs uses the screen.
-@xref{Windows}, for commands to control the use of windows.
+@xref{Windows}, for commands to control the use of windows. Some
+other editors use the term ``window'' for what we call a `frame'
+(q.v.@:) in Emacs.
+
+@item Window System
+A window system is software that operates on a graphical display
+(q.v.@:), to subdivide the screen so that multiple applications can
+have their] own windows at the same time. All modern operating systems
+include a window system.
@item Word Abbrev
-Synonymous with `abbrev'.
+See `abbrev.'
@item Word Search
Word search is searching for a sequence of words, considering the
punctuation between them as insignificant. @xref{Word Search}.
@item WYSIWYG
-WYSIWYG stands for `What you see is what you get.' Emacs generally
+WYSIWYG stands for ``What you see is what you get.'' Emacs generally
provides WYSIWYG editing for files of characters; in Enriched mode
(@pxref{Formatted Text}), it provides WYSIWYG editing for files that
include text formatting information.
systems call this ``pasting.'' @xref{Yanking}.
@end table
+@ignore
+ arch-tag: 0dd53ce1-5f09-4ac2-b13b-cf22b0f28d23
+@end ignore