<dl>
A definition list is a list of items and their corresponding definitions.
Rendering expectations
A definition list is typically rendered in the following way:
- The definition term is located against the starting margin of the page or column.
- The definition description is indented. It is located either on the same line as the definition term, or it is placed on the next line.
- The optional header content is located on a line before the definition list entries.
Content model
(
<data>
|
<sort-as>
)*,
<dlhead>
?,
<dlentry>
+
Contained by
<abstract>
,
<body>
,
<bodydiv>
,
<dd>
,
<desc>
,
<div>
,
<draft-comment>
,
<entry>
,
<example>
,
<fallback>
,
<fig>
,
<figgroup>
,
<fn>
,
<li>
,
<linkinfo>
,
<lq>
,
<note>
,
<p>
,
<section>
,
<stentry>
Contained by
Inheritance
- topic/dl
The <dl> element is a base element type. It is defined in the topic module.
Attributes
The following attributes are available on this element: universal
attributes and @compact.
The following attributes are available on this element: universal attributes and the attributes defined below.
Example
This section is non-normative.
The following code sample shows how a definition list can be used to describe the message
levels that are generated by a monitoring application. The @compact
attribute instructs processors to tighten the vertical spacing.
<dl compact="yes">
<dlentry>
<dt>Warning</dt>
<dd>Problems were detected, but the software will continue to monitor activity.</dd>
</dlentry>
<dlentry>
<dt>Error</dt>
<dd>Problems were detected, and the software is in danger of shutting down.</dd>
</dlentry>
<dlentry>
<dt>Severe</dt>
<dd>Monitoring activity has ceased.</dd>
</dlentry>
</dl>