Dinkus

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

  1. A typographical symbol or group of symbols used to indicate a section break or pause in printed text ; a small decorative mark placed between paragraphs to separate or highlight content ; a visual device employed in publishing to denote a shift in topic or scene
  2. A printed icon or cluster of characters serving as a divider within a text to signal a change or interruption ; a minor ornamental graphic used in books or articles to separate ideas or sections ; a punctuation mark utilized to visually separate parts of written work
  3. A typographic marker that denotes a break or transition in a narrative or layout ; a simple decorative element inserted between sections to emphasize separation ; a graphical cue in text that signals a shift or discrete division within a content block

Etymology: The term emerged in American English around the mid-20th century, primarily in typesetting and publishing circles. It refers to a typographical device—often a set of three asterisks or other small symbols—used to indicate a section break within a chapter or article when a full new chapter is not warranted. This visual cue helps readers navigate the text more smoothly, signaling a shift in scene or a pause in the narrative without interrupting the flow with a page break. The origin of this quirky word is somewhat elusive, but it likely arose as a playful coinage among printers and editors. Some suggest it may derive from a jocular or diminutive form related to "dink," a slang term meaning something small or insignificant, which fits well since the dinkus is a small mark serving a minor but useful purpose. The suffix "-us" might have been added whimsically to give it a pseudo-Latin flair, a common practice in English to create humorous or informal terms. Despite its humble function, the dinkus holds a unique place in print culture, bridging the gap between form and function with a bit of typographical personality. Its usage spread beyond strict printing jargon into more general publishing and even digital writing, maintaining its role as a subtle signal to readers. The word itself remains informal and somewhat niche, but anyone who has flipped through a magazine or a novel with internal breaks has encountered this little marker, even if they never knew its name.

Synonyms: asterism, divider, separator