HTML Encyclopaedia

The dfn tag

The HTML element

<dfn> text </dfn>

Is used for "definitions" within programs etc. The meaning is unclear from the HTML standards and the tag is rarely used. It seems to render text in a distinctive typeface (often italic) as entered but line layout is not honoured. HTML special characters have to be escaped.

Here is an example

1==1 1<=2 1>=0

Here is the HTML for the example above

<dfn>
1==1
1&lt;=2
1&gt;=0
</dfn>

Notice that this is not the same as pre-formatted text.

It can also be used within running text thus: a sample of text.

Browsers
MOS3 and NN3 do not honour this tag. ARA, IE and OP2 render the text in an italic typeface

See also <code>, <samp>, <kbd>, <var>, <cite> and the general notes on text styles.

Note On many browsers this tag and the others mentioned immediately above, all have exactly the same effect. Differences are purely historical.