The term runninghead refers to a header that appears on every page of a document. It is pronounced as /ˈrʌnɪŋhɛd/ and is spelled as a compound word. The first part of the word is "running", which is spelled as /ˈrʌnɪŋ/, and refers to something that is ongoing or in progress. The second part of the word is "head", which is spelled as /hɛd/, and refers to the top part of something. When combined, the word runninghead indicates a heading that appears continuously at the top of every page of a document.
Runninghead is a typographical term commonly used in publishing and academic writing. It refers to a short piece of text that is repeated at the top of every page throughout a document or publication, usually appearing in the header section. The primary purpose of the runninghead is to provide quick identification and orientation for readers, especially when dealing with multipage documents or lengthy articles.
Typically, a runninghead includes a concise version of the document or article's title. It is often formatted in a smaller font size than the main text and is aligned flush left or centered in the header section. The runninghead may appear as a single line or broken into two parts, depending on the length of the title. In academic writing, it is common for the runninghead to include the title of the paper, followed by a shortened version of the title in uppercase letters.
The runninghead serves as a navigational tool, allowing readers to easily identify the document they are reading at a glance. It also aids in maintaining the document's professional appearance and organization. By consistently appearing on every page, the runninghead provides a cohesive visual element that helps tie the entire document together.
In summary, a runninghead is a brief but repetitive piece of text that appears in the header of each page, typically sharing the title or a shortened version of the document, providing quick identification and facilitating navigation for the reader.
The term "running head" is a compound word comprising two separate words: "running" and "head". The etymology of each word is as follows:
1. Running: The word "running" originates from the Old English word "gyrnan", which means "run". It evolved from the Proto-Germanic word "brinnan" meaning "to burn". Over time, "gyrnan" developed into "rinnan" in Middle English, and eventually morphed into "running" in Modern English.
2. Head: The word "head" derives from the Old English word "hēafod", which can also be traced back to the Proto-Germanic language. The Proto-Germanic word for "head" is "haubidu", which has cognates in several other Germanic languages. This term eventually adapted into "head" in Modern English.