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slug

slug

1 9.6
A thin piece of metal used to space lines in printing
  • noun
  • /slʌg/
  • Archaic
translation icon : espaciador (tipográfico)
  • The top margin I set at an inch and a half as well, so I can put what they call a "slug" in the header.

Examples

  • The slug is set about half an inch down in the header space.

    Blog text (16)
  • Note: The hard copy of this script contained scene numbers and some omitted slugs.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • "Thanks," I said, palming the slug of metal.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • OK, you stand here like this, you take one of the slugs ...and put it right in there where the groove is.

  • When typesetting, a slug is essential for creating proper spacing between words.

  • The printer explained how to use a slug to improve the layout of the text.

  • In the printing process, inserting a slug helps to align the lines evenly.

Synonyms

spacer
vsslug
  • Specialized
1 4.8

A thin piece that creates empty space between items in a design

is a physical metal piece for traditional typesetting rather than a layout element
type slug
vsslug
  • Archaic
9.9

A thin metal strip placed between words to make space in printing

is the same but given as a shorter single-word name
leading
vsslug
  • Specialized
7.7

The space between lines of printed or typed text

is a specific metal strip used for spacing between words or lines

Compounds

sea slug
  • Specialized
3 6.5

A soft sea animal without a shell, often brightly colored

slug cutter
  • Archaic
9.8

A tool used in traditional printing to cut thin lead strips for spacing type

type slug
  • Archaic
9.9

A thin metal strip placed between words to make space in printing

Surface Forms

slug singular
slugs plural

Etymology

Slug in typesetting comes from the idea of a small solid 'lump' or piece of metal that printers used to space lines, so a slug is a short metal piece placed between lines or words. That's why a slug in printing helps with spacing and alignment.