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end matter

end matter

6.5
Written pages after the main text that give extra information, like an index or a list of sources
  • noun
  • /ɛnd ˈmætər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : material final
  • Many academic texts have extensive end matter that provides additional resources for readers.

Examples

  • The end matter of the novel included a detailed index and several notes from the author.

  • I don't have any control over the end matter on any of my books produced by HQN.

    Blog text (14)
  • I should point out that this is a slim paperback, with about 172 pp. including end matter.

    Blog text (3)
  • After finishing the main story, readers often look through the end matter for insights and references.

Synonyms

back matter
vsend matter
  • Specialized
1 6.0

Sections at the end of a book that give extra information like appendices and an index

is the same concept but uses an alternative term

Surface Forms

end matter singular
end matters plural

Morphology

end + matter

The meaning 'written material after the main text' is directly derivable from combining 'end' (final part) with 'matter' (written content): it literally denotes the material that appears at the end of a book. This simple compositional pattern is common in English publishing vocabulary and should be immediately understandable to a B1 learner who knows both constituent words.

Etymology

End matter comes from the simple image of pages placed at the very end of a book: end meaning the last part and matter meaning written material. These are the extra pages like appendices, an index, or a list of sources, so end matter means the things you find 'after the main text'.