| Syntax | <DL>...</DL> |
|---|---|
| Attribute Specifications |
|
| Contents | One or more DT or DD elements |
| Contained in | APPLET, BLOCKQUOTE, BODY, BUTTON, CENTER, DD, DEL, DIV, FIELDSET, FORM, IFRAME, INS, LI, MAP, NOFRAMES, NOSCRIPT, OBJECT, TD, TH |
The DL element defines a definition list. An entry in the list is created using the DT element for the term being defined and the DD element for the definition of the term.
A definition list can have multiple terms for a given definition as well as multiple definitions for a given term. Authors can also give a term without a corresponding definition, and vice versa, but such a structure rarely makes sense.
An example follows:
<DL>
<DT>Block-level elements</DT>
<DD>
<P>
In HTML, block-level elements may generally contain
inline elements and other block-level elements. They are
usually formatted differently than inline elements,
typically on a new line in visual browsers.
</P>
</DD>
<DT>Inline elements</DT>
<DT>Text-level elements</DT>
<DD>
<P>
Inline (or text-level) elements generally only contain
character data and other inline elements.
</P>
</DD>
</DL>The DL element can be adapted for use with structures that are not strict terms and definitions, a practice that is justified when other HTML elements cannot adequately describe a structure. Some examples follow:
<H1>Community Calendar</H1>
<DL CLASS=calendar>
<DT>March 8</DT>
<DD>
The Symphony Orchestra presents <CITE>A Rising Star</CITE>
at the Anderson Center. Call 555-1234 for details.
</DD>
<DT>March 10</DT>
<DD>
Bereaved Families Support Night, 7:00 to 9:00 at
523 Main <ABBR TITLE=Street>St.</ABBR>
</DD>
</DL><DL CLASS=play>
<DT>Brutus</DT>
<DD CLASS="role Brutus">
<P>
I kiss thy hand, but not in flattery, Caesar;<BR>
Desiring thee that Publius Cimber may<BR>
Have an immediate freedom of repeal.
</P>
</DD>
<DT>Caesar</DT>
<DD CLASS="role Caesar">
<P>
What, Brutus!
</P>
</DD>
<DT>Cassius</DT>
<DD CLASS="role Cassius">
<P>
Pardon, Caesar; Caesar, pardon:<BR>
As low as to thy foot doth Cassius fall,<BR>
To beg enfranchisement for Publius Cimber.
</P>
</DD>
</DL>Note the use of the CLASS attribute in the preceding examples. This allows the author to easily suggest, through style sheets, a distinguishing presentation for different kinds of definition lists.
In addition to the common attributes shared by most elements, DL takes a COMPACT attribute. This attribute, deprecated in HTML 4.0 and poorly supported among browsers, suggests that visual browsers render the list compactly, perhaps with reduced spacing between items.