The Definition List element represents a list of terms and
corresponding definitions. Typical formatting of a definition list is
flush left for the term (DT) with the definition (DD) indented on a
separate line (block formatted.) An alternate method of display is to
have the DD item indented on the same line as the DT to more strongly
associate the term/definition relationship.
The contents of this list structure is a sequence of DT and DD terms
(this is the only list structure in which the DT and DD elements are allowed
to appear, and they are usually found in pairs.) Multiple DT terms may be
paired with a single DD term, but should not be paired with multiple
consecutive DD elements. As with other list content elements, the closing
</dt> and </dd>
tags are optional optional in HTML (required in XHTML), as they are implied
by the subsequent list items or end </dl> tags.
Description:
This attribute helps an author in situations with floating objects (images,
tables, etc.) produced through the Left and
Right ALIGN attributes. It allows content to stop being
flowed around the floated element.
Values: None
[DEFAULT - No special line breaking
effects are applied relative to the floating element.] Left [breaks line after this element
and moves down vertically until the left margin is clear of floated objects.] Right [breaks line after this element
and moves down vertically until the right margin is clear of floated objects.] All [breaks line after this element
and moves down vertically until both margins are clear of floated objects.]
Description:
This is a stand alone attribute flag that indicates a compact rendering be
used if possible, possibly because the list items are small or the
entire list is large.
Description:
This is an SGML Document Access
(SDA) attribute. SDA attributes are designed to transform HTML (and
other SGML-based documents) to the ICADD
DTD - which is used in creating accessible documents for users with
visual disabilities (rendering in Braille, large print, speech
synthesis, etc.) The attribute value specifies the name of the element
to convert this element to in the SDA element group (in this case the
'List' element - "list of items".) SDA also allows attributes
and values from the original element to be used in the new SDA element
where necessary.
Description:
This is an SGML Document Access
(SDA) attribute. SDA attributes are designed to transform HTML (and
other SGML-based documents) to the ICADD
DTD - which is used in creating accessible documents for users with
visual disabilities (rendering in Braille, large print, speech
synthesis, etc.) The attribute value specifies content to be added
BEFORE the original element content (in this case the string
"Definition List:") when the SDA document is rendered.
[Test]
Despite the above caveat to not have multiple consecutive DD
elements, most browsers will have no problem with it.
One of the most common usages for this list structure is solely
to achieve indentation capability [this document is an example.]
Browser Peculiarities
[Test]
The COMPACT attribute in Netscape will render the DD element on the same
line as the previous DT element only IF the width of the DT contents
is less than the standard indentation width for the DD element.