Marginalia

A marginal (from the Latin margo, edge ', marginalis, belonging to the edge ') is a placed at the edge of a book or page of a manuscript note, which offers a comment, suggestion, or correction to a point in the text.

In figuratively called " marginal " failings.

Types of marginalia

Marginalia in ancient and medieval manuscripts, such as the pen glosses, or in early printed books can, like other types of glosses provide valuable aid to understanding; to the understanding of the text itself as well as to the understanding of how the text was received at the time when the marginal. - Sometimes to find marginalia as well as pictorial representations without substantive reference to the text; partly as pure ornamentation, sometimes they tell their own stories. Sometimes the edge of the prints was also used for writing exercises.

In pressure- technical context, the term also printed marginal notes, for example as an illustration or instead of a section heading, in its capacity comparable to the so-called, running titles '. In this use, the marginalia are often included in the table of contents, is, however, usually under the relevant chapter heading as continuous text list (each marginal with its page number behind it, separated from the successor by an appropriate sign, a dash, for example ) presents.

In a manuscript to be published text to be proofread, or in the proofs, the marginal note can be used to attach additions and correction notes, then what often is provided in accordance with a spacious edge of the paper.

On examination of private libraries, reading copies, files or letters of interest personalities, such as artists, poets, scientists or politicians, affixed by the person concerned marginalia can provide valuable evidence that he has certain statements of the text special attention or was encouraged them to own reflections. - Marginalia unknown author in the books by public libraries and collections, or in rented textbooks are, however, as doodles, nuisance and damage to property.