<abbr>

(abbreviation) – A generic element for 1) a shortened form of a word, including an acronym or 2) a shorthand notation.
11.2 Editorial Markup, 11.2.1 Abbreviations, 11.2.1.1 Instructions
Module
MEI.edittrans
Attributes
cert, class, copyof, corresp, decls, evidence, expan, facs, follows, hand, instant, label, n, next, precedes, prev, resp, sameas, seq, source, state, synch, translit, type, xml:base, xml:id, xml:lang
cert(optional)Signifies the degree of certainty or precision associated with a feature. Value conforms to data.CERTAINTY.
<abbr>att.editatt.evidence@cert
class(optional)Contains one or more URIs which denote classification terms that apply to the entity bearing this attribute. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
<abbr>att.commonatt.typedatt.classed@class
copyof(optional)Points to an element of which the current element is a copy. Value conforms to data.URI.
<abbr>att.commonatt.linking@copyof
corresp(optional)Used to point to other elements that correspond to this one in a generic fashion. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
<abbr>att.commonatt.linking@corresp
decls(optional)Identifies one or more metadata elements (other than classification terms) within the header, which are understood to apply to the element bearing this attribute and its content. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
<abbr>att.transatt.metadataPointing@decls
evidence(optional)Indicates the nature of the evidence supporting the reliability or accuracy of the intervention or interpretation. Allowed values are: "internal" (There is evidence within the document to support the intervention.), "external" (There is evidence outside the document to support the intervention.), "conjecture" (The assertion has been made by the editor, cataloguer, or scholar on the basis of their expertise.)
<abbr>att.editatt.evidence@evidence
expan(optional)Records the expansion of a text abbreviation. Value is plain text.
<abbr>direct children@expan
facs(optional)Permits the current element to reference a facsimile surface or image zone which corresponds to it. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
<abbr>att.facsimile@facs
follows(optional)points to one or more events in a user-defined collection that are known to be predecessors of the current element. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
<abbr>att.commonatt.linking@follows
hand(optional)Signifies the hand responsible for an action. The value must be the ID of a hand element declared in the header. Value conforms to data.URI.
<abbr>att.transatt.handIdent@hand
instantThe @instant attribute is syntactic sugar for classifying a scribal intervention as an ad-hoc modification; that is, one which does not interrupt the writing process. Value must conform to data.BOOLEAN or unknown.
<abbr>att.transatt.geneticState@instant
label(optional)Captures text to be used to generate a label for the element to which it’s attached, a "tool tip" or prefatory text, for example. Should not be used to record document content. Value is plain text.
<abbr>att.commonatt.labelled@label
n(optional)Provides a number-like designation that indicates an element’s position in a sequence of similar elements. May not contain space characters. Value conforms to data.WORD.
<abbr>att.commonatt.nNumberLike@n
next(optional)Used to point to the next event(s) in a user-defined collection. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
<abbr>att.commonatt.linking@next
precedes(optional)Points to one or more events in a user-defined collection that are known to be successors of the current element. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
<abbr>att.commonatt.linking@precedes
prev(optional)Points to the previous event(s) in a user-defined collection. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
<abbr>att.commonatt.linking@prev
resp(optional)Indicates the agent(s) responsible for some aspect of the text’s transcription, editing, or encoding. Its value must point to one or more identifiers declared in the document header. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
<abbr>att.commonatt.responsibility@resp
sameas(optional)Points to an element that is the same as the current element but is not a literal copy of the current element. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
<abbr>att.commonatt.linking@sameas
seq(optional)Used to assign a sequence number related to the order in which the encoded features carrying this attribute are believed to have occurred. Value is a positive integer.
<abbr>att.transatt.sequence@seq
source(optional)Contains a list of one or more pointers indicating the sources which attest to a given reading. Each value should correspond to the ID of a source or manifestationelement located in the document header. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
<abbr>att.editatt.source@source
statePoints to the genetic state that results from this modification. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
<abbr>att.transatt.geneticState@state
synch(optional)Points to elements that are synchronous with the current element. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
<abbr>att.commonatt.linking@synch
translit(optional)Specifies the transliteration technique used. Value is a NMTOKEN.
<abbr>att.lang@translit
type(optional)Designation which characterizes the element in some sense, using any convenient classification scheme or typology that employs single-token labels. One or more values of datatype NMTOKEN, separated by spaces.
<abbr>att.commonatt.typed@type
xml:base(optional)Provides a base URI reference with which applications can resolve relative URI references into absolute URI references. Value conforms to data.URI.
<abbr>att.commonatt.basic@xml:base
xml:id(optional)Regularizes the naming of an element and thus facilitates building links between it and other resources. Each id attribute within a document must have a unique value. Value is a valid xml:id.
<abbr>att.commonatt.basicatt.id@xml:id
xml:lang(optional)Identifies the language of the element’s content. The values for this attribute are language 'tags' as defined in BCP 47. All language tags that make use of private use sub-tags must be documented in a corresponding language element in the MEI header whose id attribute is the same as the language tag’s value. Value is a language.
<abbr>att.lang@xml:lang
expan(optional)Records the expansion of a text abbreviation. Value is plain text.
(MEI.shared) Attributes common to many elements.
(MEI.shared) Attributes that form the basis of the att.common class.
xml:base(optional)Provides a base URI reference with which applications can resolve relative URI references into absolute URI references. Value conforms to data.URI.
(MEI.shared) Attributes that uniquely identify an element.
xml:id(optional)Regularizes the naming of an element and thus facilitates building links between it and other resources. Each id attribute within a document must have a unique value. Value is a valid xml:id.
(MEI.shared)
label(optional)Captures text to be used to generate a label for the element to which it’s attached, a "tool tip" or prefatory text, for example. Should not be used to record document content. Value is plain text.
(MEI.shared) Attributes that specify element-to-element relationships.
copyof(optional)Points to an element of which the current element is a copy. Value conforms to data.URI.
corresp(optional)Used to point to other elements that correspond to this one in a generic fashion. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
follows(optional)points to one or more events in a user-defined collection that are known to be predecessors of the current element. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
next(optional)Used to point to the next event(s) in a user-defined collection. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
precedes(optional)Points to one or more events in a user-defined collection that are known to be successors of the current element. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
prev(optional)Points to the previous event(s) in a user-defined collection. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
sameas(optional)Points to an element that is the same as the current element but is not a literal copy of the current element. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
synch(optional)Points to elements that are synchronous with the current element. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
(MEI.shared) Attributes used to supply a number-like designation for an element.
n(optional)Provides a number-like designation that indicates an element’s position in a sequence of similar elements. May not contain space characters. Value conforms to data.WORD.
(MEI.shared) Attributes capturing information regarding responsibility for some aspect of the text's creation, transcription, editing, or encoding.
resp(optional)Indicates the agent(s) responsible for some aspect of the text’s transcription, editing, or encoding. Its value must point to one or more identifiers declared in the document header. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
(MEI.shared) Attributes which can be used to classify features.
type(optional)Designation which characterizes the element in some sense, using any convenient classification scheme or typology that employs single-token labels. One or more values of datatype NMTOKEN, separated by spaces.
(MEI.shared) Attributes which can be used to classify features.
class(optional)Contains one or more URIs which denote classification terms that apply to the entity bearing this attribute. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
(MEI.edittrans) Attributes describing the nature of an encoded scholarly intervention or interpretation.
(MEI.shared) Attributes common to elements that may refer to a source.
source(optional)Contains a list of one or more pointers indicating the sources which attest to a given reading. Each value should correspond to the ID of a source or manifestationelement located in the document header. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
(MEI.shared) Attributes describing the support for and the certainty of an assertion.
cert(optional)Signifies the degree of certainty or precision associated with a feature. Value conforms to data.CERTAINTY.
evidence(optional)Indicates the nature of the evidence supporting the reliability or accuracy of the intervention or interpretation. Allowed values are: "internal" (There is evidence within the document to support the intervention.), "external" (There is evidence outside the document to support the intervention.), "conjecture" (The assertion has been made by the editor, cataloguer, or scholar on the basis of their expertise.)
(MEI.facsimile) Attributes that associate a feature corresponding with all or part of an image.
facs(optional)Permits the current element to reference a facsimile surface or image zone which corresponds to it. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
(MEI.shared) Language attributes common to text elements.
xml:lang(optional)Identifies the language of the element’s content. The values for this attribute are language 'tags' as defined in BCP 47. All language tags that make use of private use sub-tags must be documented in a corresponding language element in the MEI header whose id attribute is the same as the language tag’s value. Value is a language.
translit(optional)Specifies the transliteration technique used. Value is a NMTOKEN.
(MEI.edittrans) Attributes for elements encoding authorial or scribal intervention when transcribing manuscript or similar sources.
(MEI.genetic) Attributes that pertain to a genetic state.
instantThe @instant attribute is syntactic sugar for classifying a scribal intervention as an ad-hoc modification; that is, one which does not interrupt the writing process. Value must conform to data.BOOLEAN or unknown.
statePoints to the genetic state that results from this modification. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
(MEI.shared) Attributes which identify a document hand.
hand(optional)Signifies the hand responsible for an action. The value must be the ID of a hand element declared in the header. Value conforms to data.URI.
(MEI.shared) Provides attributes for elements which may be associated with particular contextual elements within the header.
decls(optional)Identifies one or more metadata elements (other than classification terms) within the header, which are understood to apply to the element bearing this attribute and its content. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
(MEI.shared) Attributes that describe order within a collection of features.
seq(optional)Used to assign a sequence number related to the order in which the encoded features carrying this attribute are believed to have occurred. Value is a positive integer.
Editorial and transcriptional component declarations.
expan(optional)Records the expansion of a text abbreviation. Value is plain text.
Facsimile component declarations.
facs(optional)Permits the current element to reference a facsimile surface or image zone which corresponds to it. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
Genetic encoding component declarations.
instantThe @instant attribute is syntactic sugar for classifying a scribal intervention as an ad-hoc modification; that is, one which does not interrupt the writing process. Value must conform to data.BOOLEAN or unknown.
statePoints to the genetic state that results from this modification. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
Component declarations that are shared between two or more modules.
cert(optional)Signifies the degree of certainty or precision associated with a feature. Value conforms to data.CERTAINTY.
class(optional)Contains one or more URIs which denote classification terms that apply to the entity bearing this attribute. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
copyof(optional)Points to an element of which the current element is a copy. Value conforms to data.URI.
corresp(optional)Used to point to other elements that correspond to this one in a generic fashion. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
decls(optional)Identifies one or more metadata elements (other than classification terms) within the header, which are understood to apply to the element bearing this attribute and its content. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
evidence(optional)Indicates the nature of the evidence supporting the reliability or accuracy of the intervention or interpretation. Allowed values are: "internal" (There is evidence within the document to support the intervention.), "external" (There is evidence outside the document to support the intervention.), "conjecture" (The assertion has been made by the editor, cataloguer, or scholar on the basis of their expertise.)
follows(optional)points to one or more events in a user-defined collection that are known to be predecessors of the current element. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
hand(optional)Signifies the hand responsible for an action. The value must be the ID of a hand element declared in the header. Value conforms to data.URI.
label(optional)Captures text to be used to generate a label for the element to which it’s attached, a "tool tip" or prefatory text, for example. Should not be used to record document content. Value is plain text.
n(optional)Provides a number-like designation that indicates an element’s position in a sequence of similar elements. May not contain space characters. Value conforms to data.WORD.
next(optional)Used to point to the next event(s) in a user-defined collection. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
precedes(optional)Points to one or more events in a user-defined collection that are known to be successors of the current element. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
prev(optional)Points to the previous event(s) in a user-defined collection. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
resp(optional)Indicates the agent(s) responsible for some aspect of the text’s transcription, editing, or encoding. Its value must point to one or more identifiers declared in the document header. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
sameas(optional)Points to an element that is the same as the current element but is not a literal copy of the current element. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
seq(optional)Used to assign a sequence number related to the order in which the encoded features carrying this attribute are believed to have occurred. Value is a positive integer.
source(optional)Contains a list of one or more pointers indicating the sources which attest to a given reading. Each value should correspond to the ID of a source or manifestationelement located in the document header. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
synch(optional)Points to elements that are synchronous with the current element. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
translit(optional)Specifies the transliteration technique used. Value is a NMTOKEN.
type(optional)Designation which characterizes the element in some sense, using any convenient classification scheme or typology that employs single-token labels. One or more values of datatype NMTOKEN, separated by spaces.
xml:base(optional)Provides a base URI reference with which applications can resolve relative URI references into absolute URI references. Value conforms to data.URI.
xml:id(optional)Regularizes the naming of an element and thus facilitates building links between it and other resources. Each id attribute within a document must have a unique value. Value is a valid xml:id.
xml:lang(optional)Identifies the language of the element’s content. The values for this attribute are language 'tags' as defined in BCP 47. All language tags that make use of private use sub-tags must be documented in a corresponding language element in the MEI header whose id attribute is the same as the language tag’s value. Value is a language.
Member of
model.editorialLikeGroups editorial intervention elements.
Contained By
(MEI.shared) Groups editorial intervention elements.
(MEI.edittrans) Groups elements that may appear as part of the content of a choice element.
choiceGroups a number of alternative encodings for the same point in a text.
(MEI.shared) Groups textual elements that occur at the level of individual words or phrases. This class is equivalent to the model.textPhraseLike class without the pb element.
actorName of an actor appearing within a cast list.
anchoredTextContainer for text that is fixed to a particular page location, regardless of changes made to the layout of the measures around it.
arrangerA person or organization who transcribes a musical composition, usually for a different medium from that of the original; in an arrangement the musical substance remains essentially unchanged.
attaccaAn instruction to begin the next section or movement of a composition without pause.
authorThe name of the creator of the intellectual content of a non-musical, literary work.
biblScopeDefines the scope of a bibliographic reference, for example as a list of page numbers, or a named subdivision of a larger work.
bindingDescDescribes the present and former bindings of an item.
bracketSpanMarks a sequence of notational events grouped by a bracket.
bylineContains the primary statement of responsibility given for a work on its title page.
composerThe name of the creator of the intellectual content of a musical work.
contributorNames of individuals, institutions, or organizations responsible for contributions to the intellectual content of a work, where the specialized elements for authors, editors, etc. do not suffice or do not apply.
cpMarkA verbal or graphical indication to copy musical material written elsewhere.
creationNon-bibliographic details of the creation of an intellectual entity, in narrative form, such as the date, place, and circumstances of its composition. More detailed information may be captured within the history element.
decoDescContains a description of the decoration of an item.
decoNoteContains a description of one or more decorative features of an item.
dedicateeEntity to whom a creative work is formally offered.
dedicationContains a dedicatory statement.
depthDescription of a measurement taken through a three-dimensional object.
descContainer for text that briefly describes the feature to which it is attached, including its intended usage, purpose, or application as appropriate.
dimAny single dimensional specification.
dirAn instruction expressed as a combination of text and symbols — such as segno and coda symbols, fermatas over a bar line, etc., typically above, below, or between staves, but not on the staff — that is not encoded elsewhere in more specific elements, like tempo or dynam.
distributorPerson or agency, other than a publisher, from which access (including electronic access) to a bibliographic entity may be obtained.
dynamIndication of the volume of a note, phrase, or section of music.
editionA word or text phrase that indicates a difference in either content or form between the item being described and a related item previously issued by the same publisher/distributor (e.g., 2nd edition, version 2.0, etc.), or simultaneously issued by either the same publisher/distributor or another publisher/distributor (e.g., large print edition, British edition, etc.).
editorThe name of the individual(s), institution(s) or organization(s) acting in an editorial capacity.
exhibHistA record of public exhibitions, including dates, venues, etc.
extentUsed to express size in terms other than physical dimensions, such as number of pages, records, bytes, physical components, etc.
fSingle element of a figured bass indication.
figDescContains a brief prose description of the appearance or content of a graphic figure, for use when documenting an image without displaying it.
fingfinger – An individual finger in a fingering indication.
funderNames of individuals, institutions, or organizations responsible for funding. Funders provide financial support for a project; they are distinct from sponsors, who provide intellectual support and authority.
genreTerm or terms that designate a category characterizing a particular style, form, or content.
glissA continuous or sliding movement from one pitch to another, usually indicated by a straight or wavy line.
handDefines a distinct scribe or handwriting style.
harmAn indication of harmony, e.g., chord names, tablature grids, harmonic analysis, figured bass.
heightDescription of the vertical size of an object.
labelA container for document text that identifies the feature to which it is attached. For a "tool tip" or other generated label, use the label attribute.
labelAbbrA label on the pages following the first.
languageDescription of a language used in the document.
layoutDescCollects layout descriptions.
librettistPerson or organization who is a writer of the text of an opera, oratorio, etc.
lineA visual line that cannot be represented by a more specific; i.e., semantic, element.
lyricistPerson or organization who is a writer of the text of a song.
metaMarkA graphical or textual statement with additional / explanatory information about the musical text. The textual consequences of this intervention are encoded independently via other means; that is, with elements such as <add>, <del>, etc.
octaveAn indication that a passage should be performed one or more octaves above or below its written pitch.
ornamAn element indicating an ornament that is not a mordent, turn, or trill.
perfResName of an instrument on which a performer plays, a performer's voice range, or a standard performing ensemble designation.
pgFootA running footer.
pgHeadA running header.
priceThe cost of access to a bibliographic item.
provenanceThe record of ownership or custodianship of an item.
pubPlaceName of the place where a bibliographic item was published.
publisherName of the organization responsible for the publication of a bibliographic item.
recipientThe name of the individual(s), institution(s) or organization(s) receiving correspondence.
repositoryInstitution, agency, or individual which holds a bibliographic item.
respA phrase describing the nature of intellectual responsibility.
roleName of a dramatic role, as given in a cast list.
roleDescDescribes a character’s role in a drama.
scriptDescContains a description of the letters or characters used in an autographic item.
sealA single seal or similar attachment.
sealDescDescribes the seals or similar external attachments applied to an item.
signifLetSignificantive letter(s).
soundChanReflects the number of apparent sound channels in the playback of a recording (monaural, stereophonic, quadraphonic, etc.).
speakerContains a specialized form of heading or label, giving the name of one or more speakers in a dramatic text or fragment.
sponsorNames of sponsoring individuals, organizations or institutions. Sponsors give their intellectual authority to a project; they are to be distinguished from funders, who provide the funding but do not necessarily take intellectual responsibility.
stackAn inline table with a single column.
stageDirContains any kind of stage direction within a dramatic text or fragment.
supportDescGroups elements describing the physical support material of an item.
sylIndividual lyric syllable.
tempoText and symbols descriptive of tempo, mood, or style, e.g., "allarg.", "a tempo", "cantabile", "Moderato", "♩=60", "Moderato ♩ =60").
termKeyword or phrase which describes a resource.
textLangIdentifies the languages and writing systems within the work described by a bibliographic description, not the language of the description.
treatHistA record of the treatment the item has undergone (e.g., de-acidification, restoration, etc.).
treatSchedScheduled treatment, e.g., de-acidification, restoration, etc., for an item.
typeDescContains a description of the typefaces or other aspects of the printing of a printed source.
widthDescription of the horizontal size of an object.
(MEI.critapp) Groups elements that may appear as part of a textual variant.
(MEI.critapp) Groups elements that may appear as part of a textual or musical variant.
lem(lemma) – Contains the lemma, or base text, of a textual variation.
rdg(reading) – Contains a single reading within a textual variation.
(MEI.edittrans) Groups elements that may appear as part of editorial and transcription elements in prose.
(MEI.edittrans) Groups elements that may appear as part of editorial and transcription elements.
abbrA generic element for 1) a shortened form of a word, including an acronym or 2) a shorthand notation.
addMarks an addition to the text.
corrContains the correct form of an apparent erroneous passage.
damageContains an area of damage to the physical medium.
delContains information deleted, marked as deleted, or otherwise indicated as superfluous or spurious in the copy text by an author, scribe, annotator, or corrector.
expanContains the expansion of an abbreviation.
origContains material which is marked as following the original, rather than being normalized or corrected.
regContains material which has been regularized or normalized in some sense.
restoreIndicates restoration of material to an earlier state by cancellation of an editorial or authorial marking or instruction.
sicContains apparently incorrect or inaccurate material.
suppliedContains material supplied by the transcriber or editor for any reason.
unclearContains material that cannot be transcribed with certainty because it is illegible or inaudible in the source.
(MEI.shared) Groups textual elements that occur at the level of individual words or phrases.
addNameContains an additional name component, such as a nickname, epithet, or alias, or any other descriptive phrase used within a personal name.
addrLineSingle line of a postal address.
annotProvides a statement explaining the text or indicating the basis for an assertion.
biblProvides a loosely-structured bibliographic citation in which the sub-components may or may not be explicitly marked.
blocContains the name of a geopolitical unit consisting of two or more nation states or countries.
captionA label which accompanies an illustration or a table.
contentItemContains a single entry within a content description element.
corpNameIdentifies an organization or group of people that acts as a single entity.
countryContains the name of a geopolitical unit, such as a nation, country, colony, or commonwealth, larger than or administratively superior to a region and smaller than a bloc.
dateA string identifying a point in time or the time period between two such points.
districtContains the name of any kind of subdivision of a settlement, such as a parish, ward, or other administrative or geographic unit.
famNameContains a family (inherited) name, as opposed to a given, baptismal, or nick name.
foreNameContains a forename, given or baptismal name.
genNameContains a name component used to distinguish otherwise similar names on the basis of the relative ages or generations of the persons named.
geogFeatContains a common noun identifying a geographical feature.
geogNameThe proper noun designation for a place, natural feature, or political jurisdiction.
headContains any heading, for example, the title of a section of text, or the heading of a list.
identifierAn alpha-numeric string that establishes the identity of the described material.
imprintInformation relating to the publication or distribution of a bibliographic item.
lContains a single line of text within a line group.
liSingle item in a list.
nameProper noun or noun phrase.
nameLinkContains a connecting phrase or link used within a name but not regarded as part of it, such as "van der" or "of", "from", etc.
numNumeric information in any form.
periodNameA label that describes a period of time, such as 'Baroque' or '3rd Style period'.
persNameDesignation for an individual, including any or all of that individual's forenames, surnames, honorific titles, and added names.
qContains material which is distinguished from the surrounding phrase-level text using quotation marks or a similar method. Use quote for block-level quotations.
refDefines a traversible reference to another location. May contain text and sub-elements that describe the destination.
regionContains the name of an administrative unit such as a state, province, or county, larger than a settlement, but smaller than a country.
rendA formatting element indicating special visual rendering, e.g., bold or italicized, of a text word or phrase.
roleNameContains a name component which indicates that the referent has a particular role or position in society, such as an official title or rank.
seg(arbitrary segment) represents any segmentation of text below the "text component" level.
settlementContains the name of a settlement such as a city, town, or village identified as a single geopolitical or administrative unit.
streetfull street address including any name or number identifying a building as well as the name of the street or route on which it is located.
styleNameA label for a characteristic style of writing or performance, such as 'bebop' or 'rock-n-roll'.
tdDesignates a table cell that contains data as opposed to a cell that contains column or row heading information.
thDesignates a table cell containing column or row heading information as opposed to one containing data.
(MEI.shared) Groups elements which may appear as part of the paragraph content model. A paragraph may contain inline elements and all other block-level elements except itself.
epigraphContains a quotation, anonymous or attributed, appearing on a title page.
imprimaturContains a formal statement authorizing the publication of a work, sometimes required to appear on a title page or its verso.
pOne or more text phrases that form a logical prose passage.
quoteContains a paragraph-like block of text attributed to an external source, normally set off from the surrounding text by spacing or other typographic distinction.
Common Music Notation (CMN) repertoire component declarations.
attaccaAn instruction to begin the next section or movement of a composition without pause.
bracketSpanMarks a sequence of notational events grouped by a bracket.
glissA continuous or sliding movement from one pitch to another, usually indicated by a straight or wavy line.
octaveAn indication that a passage should be performed one or more octaves above or below its written pitch.
Critical apparatus component declarations.
lem(lemma) – Contains the lemma, or base text, of a textual variation.
rdg(reading) – Contains a single reading within a textual variation.
Dramatic text component declarations.
stageDirContains any kind of stage direction within a dramatic text or fragment.
Editorial and transcriptional component declarations.
abbrA generic element for 1) a shortened form of a word, including an acronym or 2) a shorthand notation.
addMarks an addition to the text.
choiceGroups a number of alternative encodings for the same point in a text.
corrContains the correct form of an apparent erroneous passage.
cpMarkA verbal or graphical indication to copy musical material written elsewhere.
damageContains an area of damage to the physical medium.
delContains information deleted, marked as deleted, or otherwise indicated as superfluous or spurious in the copy text by an author, scribe, annotator, or corrector.
expanContains the expansion of an abbreviation.
metaMarkA graphical or textual statement with additional / explanatory information about the musical text. The textual consequences of this intervention are encoded independently via other means; that is, with elements such as <add>, <del>, etc.
origContains material which is marked as following the original, rather than being normalized or corrected.
regContains material which has been regularized or normalized in some sense.
restoreIndicates restoration of material to an earlier state by cancellation of an editorial or authorial marking or instruction.
sicContains apparently incorrect or inaccurate material.
suppliedContains material supplied by the transcriber or editor for any reason.
unclearContains material that cannot be transcribed with certainty because it is illegible or inaudible in the source.
Figures and tables component declarations.
figDescContains a brief prose description of the appearance or content of a graphic figure, for use when documenting an image without displaying it.
tdDesignates a table cell that contains data as opposed to a cell that contains column or row heading information.
thDesignates a table cell containing column or row heading information as opposed to one containing data.
Fingering component declarations.
fingfinger – An individual finger in a fingering indication.
Harmony component declarations.
fSingle element of a figured bass indication.
harmAn indication of harmony, e.g., chord names, tablature grids, harmonic analysis, figured bass.
Metadata header component declarations.
bylineContains the primary statement of responsibility given for a work on its title page.
contentItemContains a single entry within a content description element.
dedicationContains a dedicatory statement.
exhibHistA record of public exhibitions, including dates, venues, etc.
handDefines a distinct scribe or handwriting style.
languageDescription of a language used in the document.
perfResName of an instrument on which a performer plays, a performer's voice range, or a standard performing ensemble designation.
priceThe cost of access to a bibliographic item.
provenanceThe record of ownership or custodianship of an item.
soundChanReflects the number of apparent sound channels in the playback of a recording (monaural, stereophonic, quadraphonic, etc.).
treatHistA record of the treatment the item has undergone (e.g., de-acidification, restoration, etc.).
treatSchedScheduled treatment, e.g., de-acidification, restoration, etc., for an item.
Manuscript description component declarations.
bindingDescDescribes the present and former bindings of an item.
decoDescContains a description of the decoration of an item.
decoNoteContains a description of one or more decorative features of an item.
layoutDescCollects layout descriptions.
scriptDescContains a description of the letters or characters used in an autographic item.
sealA single seal or similar attachment.
sealDescDescribes the seals or similar external attachments applied to an item.
supportDescGroups elements describing the physical support material of an item.
typeDescContains a description of the typefaces or other aspects of the printing of a printed source.
Names and dates component declarations.
addNameContains an additional name component, such as a nickname, epithet, or alias, or any other descriptive phrase used within a personal name.
blocContains the name of a geopolitical unit consisting of two or more nation states or countries.
corpNameIdentifies an organization or group of people that acts as a single entity.
countryContains the name of a geopolitical unit, such as a nation, country, colony, or commonwealth, larger than or administratively superior to a region and smaller than a bloc.
districtContains the name of any kind of subdivision of a settlement, such as a parish, ward, or other administrative or geographic unit.
famNameContains a family (inherited) name, as opposed to a given, baptismal, or nick name.
foreNameContains a forename, given or baptismal name.
genNameContains a name component used to distinguish otherwise similar names on the basis of the relative ages or generations of the persons named.
geogFeatContains a common noun identifying a geographical feature.
geogNameThe proper noun designation for a place, natural feature, or political jurisdiction.
nameLinkContains a connecting phrase or link used within a name but not regarded as part of it, such as "van der" or "of", "from", etc.
periodNameA label that describes a period of time, such as 'Baroque' or '3rd Style period'.
persNameDesignation for an individual, including any or all of that individual's forenames, surnames, honorific titles, and added names.
regionContains the name of an administrative unit such as a state, province, or county, larger than a settlement, but smaller than a country.
roleNameContains a name component which indicates that the referent has a particular role or position in society, such as an official title or rank.
settlementContains the name of a settlement such as a city, town, or village identified as a single geopolitical or administrative unit.
streetfull street address including any name or number identifying a building as well as the name of the street or route on which it is located.
styleNameA label for a characteristic style of writing or performance, such as 'bebop' or 'rock-n-roll'.
Neume repertoire component declarations.
signifLetSignificantive letter(s).
Pointer and reference component declarations.
refDefines a traversible reference to another location. May contain text and sub-elements that describe the destination.
Component declarations that are shared between two or more modules.
actorName of an actor appearing within a cast list.
addrLineSingle line of a postal address.
annotProvides a statement explaining the text or indicating the basis for an assertion.
arrangerA person or organization who transcribes a musical composition, usually for a different medium from that of the original; in an arrangement the musical substance remains essentially unchanged.
authorThe name of the creator of the intellectual content of a non-musical, literary work.
biblProvides a loosely-structured bibliographic citation in which the sub-components may or may not be explicitly marked.
biblScopeDefines the scope of a bibliographic reference, for example as a list of page numbers, or a named subdivision of a larger work.
captionA label which accompanies an illustration or a table.
composerThe name of the creator of the intellectual content of a musical work.
contributorNames of individuals, institutions, or organizations responsible for contributions to the intellectual content of a work, where the specialized elements for authors, editors, etc. do not suffice or do not apply.
creationNon-bibliographic details of the creation of an intellectual entity, in narrative form, such as the date, place, and circumstances of its composition. More detailed information may be captured within the history element.
dateA string identifying a point in time or the time period between two such points.
dedicateeEntity to whom a creative work is formally offered.
depthDescription of a measurement taken through a three-dimensional object.
descContainer for text that briefly describes the feature to which it is attached, including its intended usage, purpose, or application as appropriate.
dimAny single dimensional specification.
dirAn instruction expressed as a combination of text and symbols — such as segno and coda symbols, fermatas over a bar line, etc., typically above, below, or between staves, but not on the staff — that is not encoded elsewhere in more specific elements, like tempo or dynam.
distributorPerson or agency, other than a publisher, from which access (including electronic access) to a bibliographic entity may be obtained.
dynamIndication of the volume of a note, phrase, or section of music.
editionA word or text phrase that indicates a difference in either content or form between the item being described and a related item previously issued by the same publisher/distributor (e.g., 2nd edition, version 2.0, etc.), or simultaneously issued by either the same publisher/distributor or another publisher/distributor (e.g., large print edition, British edition, etc.).
editorThe name of the individual(s), institution(s) or organization(s) acting in an editorial capacity.
extentUsed to express size in terms other than physical dimensions, such as number of pages, records, bytes, physical components, etc.
funderNames of individuals, institutions, or organizations responsible for funding. Funders provide financial support for a project; they are distinct from sponsors, who provide intellectual support and authority.
genreTerm or terms that designate a category characterizing a particular style, form, or content.
headContains any heading, for example, the title of a section of text, or the heading of a list.
heightDescription of the vertical size of an object.
identifierAn alpha-numeric string that establishes the identity of the described material.
imprintInformation relating to the publication or distribution of a bibliographic item.
labelA container for document text that identifies the feature to which it is attached. For a "tool tip" or other generated label, use the label attribute.
labelAbbrA label on the pages following the first.
librettistPerson or organization who is a writer of the text of an opera, oratorio, etc.
lyricistPerson or organization who is a writer of the text of a song.
nameProper noun or noun phrase.
numNumeric information in any form.
ornamAn element indicating an ornament that is not a mordent, turn, or trill.
pOne or more text phrases that form a logical prose passage.
pgFootA running footer.
pgHeadA running header.
pubPlaceName of the place where a bibliographic item was published.
publisherName of the organization responsible for the publication of a bibliographic item.
recipientThe name of the individual(s), institution(s) or organization(s) receiving correspondence.
rendA formatting element indicating special visual rendering, e.g., bold or italicized, of a text word or phrase.
repositoryInstitution, agency, or individual which holds a bibliographic item.
respA phrase describing the nature of intellectual responsibility.
roleName of a dramatic role, as given in a cast list.
roleDescDescribes a character’s role in a drama.
speakerContains a specialized form of heading or label, giving the name of one or more speakers in a dramatic text or fragment.
sponsorNames of sponsoring individuals, organizations or institutions. Sponsors give their intellectual authority to a project; they are to be distinguished from funders, who provide the funding but do not necessarily take intellectual responsibility.
stackAn inline table with a single column.
sylIndividual lyric syllable.
tempoText and symbols descriptive of tempo, mood, or style, e.g., "allarg.", "a tempo", "cantabile", "Moderato", "♩=60", "Moderato ♩ =60").
termKeyword or phrase which describes a resource.
textLangIdentifies the languages and writing systems within the work described by a bibliographic description, not the language of the description.
widthDescription of the horizontal size of an object.
Text component declarations.
epigraphContains a quotation, anonymous or attributed, appearing on a title page.
imprimaturContains a formal statement authorizing the publication of a work, sometimes required to appear on a title page or its verso.
lContains a single line of text within a line group.
liSingle item in a list.
qContains material which is distinguished from the surrounding phrase-level text using quotation marks or a similar method. Use quote for block-level quotations.
quoteContains a paragraph-like block of text attributed to an external source, normally set off from the surrounding text by spacing or other typographic distinction.
seg(arbitrary segment) represents any segmentation of text below the "text component" level.
User-defined symbols component declarations.
anchoredTextContainer for text that is fixed to a particular page location, regardless of changes made to the layout of the measures around it.
lineA visual line that cannot be represented by a more specific; i.e., semantic, element.
May Contain
textual content
(MEI.edittrans) Groups elements for editorial interventions that may be useful both in transcribing and in authoring processes.
choiceGroups a number of alternative encodings for the same point in a text.
substGroups transcriptional elements when the combination is to be regarded as a single intervention in the text.
(MEI.edittrans) Groups elements that may appear as part of editorial and transcription elements.
(MEI.edittrans) Groups elements that may appear as part of editorial and transcription elements in music notation.
voltaSung text for a specific iteration of a repeated section of music.
(MEI.cmn) Groups control events that appear in CMN.
arpegIndicates that the notes of a chord are to be performed successively rather than simultaneously, usually from lowest to highest. Sometimes called a "roll".
attaccaAn instruction to begin the next section or movement of a composition without pause.
beamSpanAlternative element for explicitly encoding beams, particularly those which extend across bar lines.
bracketSpanMarks a sequence of notational events grouped by a bracket.
breathAn indication of a point at which the performer on an instrument requiring breath (including the voice) may breathe.
fermataAn indication placed over a note or rest to indicate that it should be held longer than its written value. May also occur over a bar line to indicate the end of a phrase or section. Sometimes called a 'hold' or 'pause'.
hairpinIndicates continuous dynamics expressed on the score as wedge-shaped graphics, e.g., < and >.
harpPedalHarp pedal diagram.
lvA "tie-like" indication that a note should ring beyond its written duration.
octaveAn indication that a passage should be performed one or more octaves above or below its written pitch.
pedalPiano pedal mark.
rehIn an orchestral score and its corresponding parts, a mark indicating a convenient point from which to resume rehearsal after a break.
slurIndication of 1) a "unified melodic idea" or 2) performance technique.
tieAn indication that two notes of the same pitch form a single note with their combined rhythmic values.
tupletSpanAlternative element for encoding tuplets, especially useful for tuplets that extend across bar lines.
(MEI.cmnOrnaments) Groups CMN ornament elements.
mordentAn ornament indicating rapid alternation of the main note with a secondary note, usually a step below, but sometimes a step above.
trillRapid alternation of a note with another (usually at the interval of a second above).
turnAn ornament consisting of four notes — the upper neighbor of the written note, the written note, the lower neighbor, and the written note.
(MEI.lyrics) Groups elements that contain a lyric verse.
refrainRecurring lyrics, especially at the end of each verse or stanza of a poem or song lyrics; a chorus.
verseDivision of a poem or song lyrics, sometimes having a fixed length, meter or rhyme scheme; a stanza.
(MEI.shared) Groups elements, such as dynamics, ties, phrase marks, pedal marks, etc., which depend upon other events, such as notes or rests, for their existence.
bendA variation in pitch (often micro-tonal) upwards or downwards during the course of a note.
caesuraBreak, pause, or interruption in the normal tempo of a composition. Typically indicated by "railroad tracks", i.e., two diagonal slashes.
cpMarkA verbal or graphical indication to copy musical material written elsewhere.
dirAn instruction expressed as a combination of text and symbols — such as segno and coda symbols, fermatas over a bar line, etc., typically above, below, or between staves, but not on the staff — that is not encoded elsewhere in more specific elements, like tempo or dynam.
dynamIndication of the volume of a note, phrase, or section of music.
glissA continuous or sliding movement from one pitch to another, usually indicated by a straight or wavy line.
metaMarkA graphical or textual statement with additional / explanatory information about the musical text. The textual consequences of this intervention are encoded independently via other means; that is, with elements such as <add>, <del>, etc.
ornamAn element indicating an ornament that is not a mordent, turn, or trill.
phraseIndication of 1) a "unified melodic idea" or 2) performance technique.
spContains an individual speech in a performance text.
tempoText and symbols descriptive of tempo, mood, or style, e.g., "allarg.", "a tempo", "cantabile", "Moderato", "♩=60", "Moderato ♩ =60").
(MEI.drama) Groups elements containing stage directions in performance texts.
stageDirContains any kind of stage direction within a dramatic text or fragment.
(MEI.fingering) Groups elements that capture performance instructions regarding the use of the fingers of the hand (or a subset of them).
fingfinger – An individual finger in a fingering indication.
fingGrp(finger group)– A group of individual fingers in a fingering indication.
(MEI.harmony) Groups harmonic elements that function as control events; that is, those events that modify or otherwise depend on the existence of notated events.
(MEI.harmony) Groups elements that record indications of harmony.
harmAn indication of harmony, e.g., chord names, tablature grids, harmonic analysis, figured bass.
(MEI.shared) Groups elements that function as notational layers within a staff.
layerAn independent stream of events on a staff.
(MEI.edittrans) Groups elements that may appear as part of editorial and transcription elements in prose.
(MEI.shared) Groups block-level text elements.
(MEI.figtable) Groups table-like elements.
tableContains text displayed in tabular form.
(MEI.shared) Groups paragraph-like elements.
pOne or more text phrases that form a logical prose passage.
(MEI.text) Groups elements that have a line-grouping function.
lgMay be used for any section of text that is organized as a group of lines; however, it is most often used for a group of verse lines functioning as a formal unit, e.g., a stanza, refrain, verse paragraph, etc.
(MEI.text) Groups list-like elements.
biblListList of bibliographic references.
castListContains a single cast list or dramatis personae.
eventListContains historical information given as a sequence of significant past events.
listA formatting element that contains a series of items separated from one another and arranged in a linear, often vertical, sequence.
(MEI.text) Groups elements used to directly contain quotations.
quoteContains a paragraph-like block of text attributed to an external source, normally set off from the surrounding text by spacing or other typographic distinction.
(MEI.shared) Groups textual elements that occur at the level of individual words or phrases. This class is equivalent to the model.textPhraseLike class without the pb element.
dedicateeEntity to whom a creative work is formally offered.
dimensionsInformation about the physical size of an entity; usually includes numerical data.
extentUsed to express size in terms other than physical dimensions, such as number of pages, records, bytes, physical components, etc.
seg(arbitrary segment) represents any segmentation of text below the "text component" level.
symbolA reference to a previously defined symbol.
termKeyword or phrase which describes a resource.
(MEI.figtable) Groups elements representing or containing graphic information such as an illustration or figure.
figGroups elements representing or containing graphic information such as an illustration or figure.
(MEI.msDesc) Groups elements that may appear inline when the msdesc module is active.
catchwordsDescribes the system used to ensure correct ordering of the quires making up an item, typically by means of annotations at the foot of the page.
heraldryContains a heraldic formula or phrase, typically found as part of a blazon, coat of arms, etc.
locusDefines a location within a manuscript or manuscript component, usually as a (possibly discontinuous) sequence of folio references.
locusGrpGroups locations which together form a distinct but discontinuous item within a manuscript or manuscript part, according to a specific foliation.
secFolioMarks the word or words taken from a fixed point in a codex (typically the beginning of the second leaf) in order to provide a unique identifier for the item.
signaturesProvides a description of the leaf or quire signatures found within a codex.
stampContains a word or phrase describing an official mark indicating ownership, genuineness, validity, etc.
watermarkContains a description of a watermark or similar device.
(MEI.namesdates) Groups elements used as part of a physical address.
postBox(postal box or post office box) contains a number or other identifier for some postal delivery point other than a street address.
postCode(postal code) contains a numerical or alphanumeric code used as part of a postal address to simplify sorting or delivery of mail.
streetfull street address including any name or number identifying a building as well as the name of the street or route on which it is located.
(MEI.namesdates) Groups elements which form part of a geographic name.
blocContains the name of a geopolitical unit consisting of two or more nation states or countries.
countryContains the name of a geopolitical unit, such as a nation, country, colony, or commonwealth, larger than or administratively superior to a region and smaller than a bloc.
districtContains the name of any kind of subdivision of a settlement, such as a parish, ward, or other administrative or geographic unit.
geogFeatContains a common noun identifying a geographical feature.
regionContains the name of an administrative unit such as a state, province, or county, larger than a settlement, but smaller than a country.
settlementContains the name of a settlement such as a city, town, or village identified as a single geopolitical or administrative unit.
(MEI.namesdates) Groups elements that serve as stylistic labels.
periodNameA label that describes a period of time, such as 'Baroque' or '3rd Style period'.
styleNameA label for a characteristic style of writing or performance, such as 'bebop' or 'rock-n-roll'.
(MEI.ptrref) Groups elements used for purposes of location and reference.
ptrDefines a traversible pointer to another location, using only attributes to describe the destination.
refDefines a traversible reference to another location. May contain text and sub-elements that describe the destination.
(MEI.shared) Groups elements used to represent a postal address.
addressContains a postal address, for example of a publisher, an organization, or an individual.
(MEI.shared) Groups annotation-like elements.
annotProvides a statement explaining the text or indicating the basis for an assertion.
(MEI.shared) Groups elements containing a bibliographic description.
biblProvides a loosely-structured bibliographic citation in which the sub-components may or may not be explicitly marked.
biblStructContains a bibliographic citation in which bibliographic sub-elements must appear in a specified order.
(MEI.shared) Groups elements containing date expressions.
dateA string identifying a point in time or the time period between two such points.
(MEI.shared) Groups elements which describe a measurement forming part of the physical dimensions of an object.
depthDescription of a measurement taken through a three-dimensional object.
dimAny single dimensional specification.
heightDescription of the vertical size of an object.
widthDescription of the horizontal size of an object.
(MEI.shared) Groups editorial intervention elements.
abbrA generic element for 1) a shortened form of a word, including an acronym or 2) a shorthand notation.
expanContains the expansion of an abbreviation.
(MEI.shared) Groups identifier-like elements.
identifierAn alpha-numeric string that establishes the identity of the described material.
(MEI.shared) Groups elements that function like line beginnings.
lbAn empty formatting element that forces text to begin on a new line.
(MEI.shared) Groups elements that represent a measurement.
(MEI.shared) Groups elements that denote a number or a quantity.
numNumeric information in any form.
(MEI.shared) Groups elements that contain names.
nameProper noun or noun phrase.
(MEI.namesdates) Groups elements which contain names of individuals or corporate bodies.
corpNameIdentifies an organization or group of people that acts as a single entity.
persNameDesignation for an individual, including any or all of that individual's forenames, surnames, honorific titles, and added names.
(MEI.namesdates) Groups place name elements.
(MEI.namesdates) Groups geographic name elements.
geogNameThe proper noun designation for a place, natural feature, or political jurisdiction.
(MEI.shared) Groups elements that denote a corporate entity that holds a bibliographic item.
repositoryInstitution, agency, or individual which holds a bibliographic item.
(MEI.shared) Collects elements that express a relationship.
relationDescribes a relationship or linkage amongst entities.
relationListGathers relation elements.
(MEI.shared) Groups elements that mark typographical features.
rendA formatting element indicating special visual rendering, e.g., bold or italicized, of a text word or phrase.
stackAn inline table with a single column.
(MEI.shared) Groups elements that denote the name of a bibliographic item.
titleTitle of a bibliographic entity.
(MEI.text) Groups elements related to highlighting which can appear at the phrase-level.
qContains material which is distinguished from the surrounding phrase-level text using quotation marks or a similar method. Use quote for block-level quotations.
(MEI.shared) Groups elements that contain a lyric syllable.
sylIndividual lyric syllable.
(MEI.edittrans) Groups elements used for editorial transcription of pre-existing source materials.
addMarks an addition to the text.
corrContains the correct form of an apparent erroneous passage.
damageContains an area of damage to the physical medium.
delContains information deleted, marked as deleted, or otherwise indicated as superfluous or spurious in the copy text by an author, scribe, annotator, or corrector.
gapIndicates a point where material has been omitted in a transcription, whether as part of sampling practice or for editorial reasons described in the MEI header.
handShiftMarks the beginning of a passage written in a new hand, or of a change in the scribe, writing style, ink or character of the document hand.
origContains material which is marked as following the original, rather than being normalized or corrected.
regContains material which has been regularized or normalized in some sense.
restoreIndicates restoration of material to an earlier state by cancellation of an editorial or authorial marking or instruction.
sicContains apparently incorrect or inaccurate material.
suppliedContains material supplied by the transcriber or editor for any reason.
unclearContains material that cannot be transcribed with certainty because it is illegible or inaudible in the source.
(MEI.harmony) Groups elements that represent single figured bass elements.
fSingle element of a figured bass indication.
(MEI.neumes) Groups elements that modify neume components.
liquescentLiquescent.
oriscusOriscus.
quilismaQuilisma.
strophicusStrophicus.
(MEI.neumes) Groups elements that modify neume-like features.
episemaEpisema.
hispanTickHispanic tick.
signifLetSignificantive letter(s).
(MEI.neumes) Groups elements that may occur within a neume.
ncSign representing a single pitched event, although the exact pitch may not be known.
ncGrpCollection of one or more neume components.
(MEI.shared) Groups notated events that may appear at the layer level in all repertoires.
(MEI.cmn) Groups notated events that may appear at the layer level in CMN.
(MEI.cmn) Groups events that appear in CMN.
bTremA rapid alternation on a single pitch or chord.
beamA container for a series of explicitly beamed events that begins and ends entirely within a measure.
beatRptAn indication that material on a preceding beat should be repeated.
fTremA rapid alternation between a pair of notes (or chords or perhaps between a note and a chord) that are (usually) farther apart than a major second.
graceGrpA container for a sequence of grace notes.
halfmRptA half-measure repeat in any meter.
tupletA group of notes with "irregular" (sometimes called "irrational") rhythmic values, for example, three notes in the time normally occupied by two or nine in the time of five.
(MEI.cmn) Groups events that completely fill a CMN measure.
mRestComplete measure rest in any meter.
mRptAn indication that the previous measure should be repeated.
mRpt2An indication that the previous two measures should be repeated.
mSpaceA measure containing only empty space in any meter.
multiRestMultiple measures of rest compressed into a single symbol, frequently found in performer parts.
multiRptMultiple repeated measures.
(MEI.shared) Groups event elements that occur in all notational repertoires.
barLineVertical line drawn through one or more staves that divides musical notation into metrical units.
chordA simultaneous sounding of two or more notes in the same layer *with the same duration*.
clefIndication of the exact location of a particular note on the staff and, therefore, the other notes as well.
clefGrpA set of simultaneously-occurring clefs.
custosSymbol placed at the end of a line of music to indicate the first note of the next line. Sometimes called a "direct".
noteA single pitched event.
padAn indication of extra visual space between notational elements.
restA non-sounding event found in the source being transcribed.
spaceA placeholder used to fill an incomplete measure, layer, etc. most often so that the combined duration of the events equals the number of beats in the measure.
(MEI.shared) Groups elements that have the same function as a key signature.
keySigWritten key signature.
(MEI.shared) Groups elements that represent a meter signature.
meterSigWritten meter signature.
meterSigGrpUsed to capture alternating, interchanging, mixed or other non-standard meter signatures.
(MEI.shared) Groups notated events at the layer level that are shared by the mensural and neume repertoires.
(MEI.mensural) Groups notated events that may appear at the layer level in the mensural repertoire.
(MEI.mensural) Groups event elements that occur in the mensural repertoire.
dotDot of augmentation or division.
ligatureA mensural notation symbol that combines two or more notes into a single sign.
mensurCollects information about the metrical relationship between a note value and the next smaller value; that is, either triple or duple.
proportDescription of note duration as arithmetic ratio.
(MEI.midi) Groups elements which group MIDI-like elements.
midiContainer for elements that contain information useful when generating MIDI output.
(MEI.neumes) Groups notated events that may appear at the layer level in the neume repertoire.
(MEI.neumes) Groups event elements that occur in the neume repertoire.
divLineRepresents a division (divisio) in neume notation. Divisions indicate short, medium, or long pauses similar to breath marks in modern notation.
neumeSign representing one or more musical pitches.
(MEI.neumes) Groups elements that accommodate neumed text.
syllableNeume notation can be thought of as "neumed text". Therefore, the syllable element provides high-level organization in this repertoire.
(MEI.shared) Groups elements that modify note-like features.
accidRecords a temporary alteration to the pitch of a note.
articAn indication of how to play a note or chord.
dotDot of augmentation or division.
(MEI.shared) Groups milestone-style elements found in music notation.
cbAn empty formatting element that forces text to begin in a new column.
colLayoutAn empty formatting element that signals the start of columnar layout.
sbAn empty formatting element that forces musical notation to begin on a new line.
(MEI.shared) Groups page beginning-like elements.
pbAn empty formatting element that forces text to begin on a new page.
(MEI.shared) Groups elements that may appear as part of a section.
(MEI.cmn) Groups elements that may appear as part of a section.
(MEI.cmn) Groups CMN measure-like elements.
measureUnit of musical time consisting of a fixed number of note values of a given type, as determined by the prevailing meter, and delimited in musical notation by bar lines.
(MEI.shared) Groups elements that represent alternative endings.
endingAlternative ending for a repeated passage of music; i.e., prima volta, seconda volta, etc.
(MEI.shared) Groups elements that provide score meta-information.
scoreDefContainer for score meta-information.
(MEI.shared) Groups elements that represent a segment of music notation.
sectionSegment of music data.
(MEI.shared) Groups elements that may appear as part of a section in the mensural and neume repertoires.
(MEI.shared) Groups elements that function like staves.
staffA group of equidistant horizontal lines on which notes are placed in order to represent pitch or a grouping element for individual 'strands' of notes, rests, etc. that may or may not actually be rendered on staff lines; that is, both diastematic and non-diastematic signs.
(MEI.shared) Groups elements that permit declaration of staff properties.
staffDefContainer for staff meta-information.
(MEI.shared) Groups elements that permit declaration of staff group properties.
staffGrpA group of bracketed or braced staves.
(MEI.text) Groups elements used to represent generic structural divisions of text.
divMajor structural division of text, such as a preface, chapter or section.
(MEI.usersymbols) Groups elements that function as drawing primitives.
anchoredTextContainer for text that is fixed to a particular page location, regardless of changes made to the layout of the measures around it.
curveA curved line that cannot be represented by a more specific element, such as a slur.
lineA visual line that cannot be represented by a more specific; i.e., semantic, element.
textual content
Common Music Notation (CMN) repertoire component declarations.
arpegIndicates that the notes of a chord are to be performed successively rather than simultaneously, usually from lowest to highest. Sometimes called a "roll".
attaccaAn instruction to begin the next section or movement of a composition without pause.
bTremA rapid alternation on a single pitch or chord.
beamA container for a series of explicitly beamed events that begins and ends entirely within a measure.
beamSpanAlternative element for explicitly encoding beams, particularly those which extend across bar lines.
beatRptAn indication that material on a preceding beat should be repeated.
bendA variation in pitch (often micro-tonal) upwards or downwards during the course of a note.
bracketSpanMarks a sequence of notational events grouped by a bracket.
breathAn indication of a point at which the performer on an instrument requiring breath (including the voice) may breathe.
fTremA rapid alternation between a pair of notes (or chords or perhaps between a note and a chord) that are (usually) farther apart than a major second.
fermataAn indication placed over a note or rest to indicate that it should be held longer than its written value. May also occur over a bar line to indicate the end of a phrase or section. Sometimes called a 'hold' or 'pause'.
glissA continuous or sliding movement from one pitch to another, usually indicated by a straight or wavy line.
graceGrpA container for a sequence of grace notes.
hairpinIndicates continuous dynamics expressed on the score as wedge-shaped graphics, e.g., < and >.
halfmRptA half-measure repeat in any meter.
harpPedalHarp pedal diagram.
lvA "tie-like" indication that a note should ring beyond its written duration.
mRestComplete measure rest in any meter.
mRptAn indication that the previous measure should be repeated.
mRpt2An indication that the previous two measures should be repeated.
mSpaceA measure containing only empty space in any meter.
measureUnit of musical time consisting of a fixed number of note values of a given type, as determined by the prevailing meter, and delimited in musical notation by bar lines.
meterSigWritten meter signature.
meterSigGrpUsed to capture alternating, interchanging, mixed or other non-standard meter signatures.
multiRestMultiple measures of rest compressed into a single symbol, frequently found in performer parts.
multiRptMultiple repeated measures.
octaveAn indication that a passage should be performed one or more octaves above or below its written pitch.
pedalPiano pedal mark.
rehIn an orchestral score and its corresponding parts, a mark indicating a convenient point from which to resume rehearsal after a break.
slurIndication of 1) a "unified melodic idea" or 2) performance technique.
tieAn indication that two notes of the same pitch form a single note with their combined rhythmic values.
tupletA group of notes with "irregular" (sometimes called "irrational") rhythmic values, for example, three notes in the time normally occupied by two or nine in the time of five.
tupletSpanAlternative element for encoding tuplets, especially useful for tuplets that extend across bar lines.
CMN ornament component declarations.
mordentAn ornament indicating rapid alternation of the main note with a secondary note, usually a step below, but sometimes a step above.
trillRapid alternation of a note with another (usually at the interval of a second above).
turnAn ornament consisting of four notes — the upper neighbor of the written note, the written note, the lower neighbor, and the written note.
Dramatic text component declarations.
spContains an individual speech in a performance text.
stageDirContains any kind of stage direction within a dramatic text or fragment.
Editorial and transcriptional component declarations.
abbrA generic element for 1) a shortened form of a word, including an acronym or 2) a shorthand notation.
addMarks an addition to the text.
choiceGroups a number of alternative encodings for the same point in a text.
corrContains the correct form of an apparent erroneous passage.
cpMarkA verbal or graphical indication to copy musical material written elsewhere.
damageContains an area of damage to the physical medium.
delContains information deleted, marked as deleted, or otherwise indicated as superfluous or spurious in the copy text by an author, scribe, annotator, or corrector.
expanContains the expansion of an abbreviation.
gapIndicates a point where material has been omitted in a transcription, whether as part of sampling practice or for editorial reasons described in the MEI header.
handShiftMarks the beginning of a passage written in a new hand, or of a change in the scribe, writing style, ink or character of the document hand.
metaMarkA graphical or textual statement with additional / explanatory information about the musical text. The textual consequences of this intervention are encoded independently via other means; that is, with elements such as <add>, <del>, etc.
origContains material which is marked as following the original, rather than being normalized or corrected.
regContains material which has been regularized or normalized in some sense.
restoreIndicates restoration of material to an earlier state by cancellation of an editorial or authorial marking or instruction.
sicContains apparently incorrect or inaccurate material.
substGroups transcriptional elements when the combination is to be regarded as a single intervention in the text.
suppliedContains material supplied by the transcriber or editor for any reason.
unclearContains material that cannot be transcribed with certainty because it is illegible or inaudible in the source.
Figures and tables component declarations.
figGroups elements representing or containing graphic information such as an illustration or figure.
tableContains text displayed in tabular form.
Fingering component declarations.
fingfinger – An individual finger in a fingering indication.
fingGrp(finger group)– A group of individual fingers in a fingering indication.
Harmony component declarations.
fSingle element of a figured bass indication.
harmAn indication of harmony, e.g., chord names, tablature grids, harmonic analysis, figured bass.
Metadata header component declarations.
watermarkContains a description of a watermark or similar device.
Lyrics component declarations.
refrainRecurring lyrics, especially at the end of each verse or stanza of a poem or song lyrics; a chorus.
verseDivision of a poem or song lyrics, sometimes having a fixed length, meter or rhyme scheme; a stanza.
voltaSung text for a specific iteration of a repeated section of music.
Mensural repertoire component declarations.
ligatureA mensural notation symbol that combines two or more notes into a single sign.
mensurCollects information about the metrical relationship between a note value and the next smaller value; that is, either triple or duple.
proportDescription of note duration as arithmetic ratio.
MIDI component declarations.
midiContainer for elements that contain information useful when generating MIDI output.
Manuscript description component declarations.
catchwordsDescribes the system used to ensure correct ordering of the quires making up an item, typically by means of annotations at the foot of the page.
heraldryContains a heraldic formula or phrase, typically found as part of a blazon, coat of arms, etc.
locusDefines a location within a manuscript or manuscript component, usually as a (possibly discontinuous) sequence of folio references.
locusGrpGroups locations which together form a distinct but discontinuous item within a manuscript or manuscript part, according to a specific foliation.
secFolioMarks the word or words taken from a fixed point in a codex (typically the beginning of the second leaf) in order to provide a unique identifier for the item.
signaturesProvides a description of the leaf or quire signatures found within a codex.
stampContains a word or phrase describing an official mark indicating ownership, genuineness, validity, etc.
Names and dates component declarations.
blocContains the name of a geopolitical unit consisting of two or more nation states or countries.
corpNameIdentifies an organization or group of people that acts as a single entity.
countryContains the name of a geopolitical unit, such as a nation, country, colony, or commonwealth, larger than or administratively superior to a region and smaller than a bloc.
districtContains the name of any kind of subdivision of a settlement, such as a parish, ward, or other administrative or geographic unit.
geogFeatContains a common noun identifying a geographical feature.
geogNameThe proper noun designation for a place, natural feature, or political jurisdiction.
periodNameA label that describes a period of time, such as 'Baroque' or '3rd Style period'.
persNameDesignation for an individual, including any or all of that individual's forenames, surnames, honorific titles, and added names.
postBox(postal box or post office box) contains a number or other identifier for some postal delivery point other than a street address.
postCode(postal code) contains a numerical or alphanumeric code used as part of a postal address to simplify sorting or delivery of mail.
regionContains the name of an administrative unit such as a state, province, or county, larger than a settlement, but smaller than a country.
settlementContains the name of a settlement such as a city, town, or village identified as a single geopolitical or administrative unit.
streetfull street address including any name or number identifying a building as well as the name of the street or route on which it is located.
styleNameA label for a characteristic style of writing or performance, such as 'bebop' or 'rock-n-roll'.
Neume repertoire component declarations.
divLineRepresents a division (divisio) in neume notation. Divisions indicate short, medium, or long pauses similar to breath marks in modern notation.
episemaEpisema.
hispanTickHispanic tick.
liquescentLiquescent.
ncSign representing a single pitched event, although the exact pitch may not be known.
ncGrpCollection of one or more neume components.
neumeSign representing one or more musical pitches.
oriscusOriscus.
quilismaQuilisma.
signifLetSignificantive letter(s).
strophicusStrophicus.
syllableNeume notation can be thought of as "neumed text". Therefore, the syllable element provides high-level organization in this repertoire.
Pointer and reference component declarations.
ptrDefines a traversible pointer to another location, using only attributes to describe the destination.
refDefines a traversible reference to another location. May contain text and sub-elements that describe the destination.
Component declarations that are shared between two or more modules.
accidRecords a temporary alteration to the pitch of a note.
addressContains a postal address, for example of a publisher, an organization, or an individual.
annotProvides a statement explaining the text or indicating the basis for an assertion.
articAn indication of how to play a note or chord.
barLineVertical line drawn through one or more staves that divides musical notation into metrical units.
biblProvides a loosely-structured bibliographic citation in which the sub-components may or may not be explicitly marked.
biblListList of bibliographic references.
biblStructContains a bibliographic citation in which bibliographic sub-elements must appear in a specified order.
caesuraBreak, pause, or interruption in the normal tempo of a composition. Typically indicated by "railroad tracks", i.e., two diagonal slashes.
castListContains a single cast list or dramatis personae.
cbAn empty formatting element that forces text to begin in a new column.
chordA simultaneous sounding of two or more notes in the same layer *with the same duration*.
clefIndication of the exact location of a particular note on the staff and, therefore, the other notes as well.
clefGrpA set of simultaneously-occurring clefs.
colLayoutAn empty formatting element that signals the start of columnar layout.
custosSymbol placed at the end of a line of music to indicate the first note of the next line. Sometimes called a "direct".
dateA string identifying a point in time or the time period between two such points.
dedicateeEntity to whom a creative work is formally offered.
depthDescription of a measurement taken through a three-dimensional object.
dimAny single dimensional specification.
dimensionsInformation about the physical size of an entity; usually includes numerical data.
dirAn instruction expressed as a combination of text and symbols — such as segno and coda symbols, fermatas over a bar line, etc., typically above, below, or between staves, but not on the staff — that is not encoded elsewhere in more specific elements, like tempo or dynam.
divMajor structural division of text, such as a preface, chapter or section.
dotDot of augmentation or division.
dotDot of augmentation or division.
dynamIndication of the volume of a note, phrase, or section of music.
endingAlternative ending for a repeated passage of music; i.e., prima volta, seconda volta, etc.
eventListContains historical information given as a sequence of significant past events.
extentUsed to express size in terms other than physical dimensions, such as number of pages, records, bytes, physical components, etc.
heightDescription of the vertical size of an object.
identifierAn alpha-numeric string that establishes the identity of the described material.
keySigWritten key signature.
layerAn independent stream of events on a staff.
lbAn empty formatting element that forces text to begin on a new line.
lgMay be used for any section of text that is organized as a group of lines; however, it is most often used for a group of verse lines functioning as a formal unit, e.g., a stanza, refrain, verse paragraph, etc.
nameProper noun or noun phrase.
noteA single pitched event.
numNumeric information in any form.
ornamAn element indicating an ornament that is not a mordent, turn, or trill.
pOne or more text phrases that form a logical prose passage.
padAn indication of extra visual space between notational elements.
pbAn empty formatting element that forces text to begin on a new page.
phraseIndication of 1) a "unified melodic idea" or 2) performance technique.
relationDescribes a relationship or linkage amongst entities.
relationListGathers relation elements.
rendA formatting element indicating special visual rendering, e.g., bold or italicized, of a text word or phrase.
repositoryInstitution, agency, or individual which holds a bibliographic item.
restA non-sounding event found in the source being transcribed.
sbAn empty formatting element that forces musical notation to begin on a new line.
scoreDefContainer for score meta-information.
sectionSegment of music data.
spaceA placeholder used to fill an incomplete measure, layer, etc. most often so that the combined duration of the events equals the number of beats in the measure.
stackAn inline table with a single column.
staffA group of equidistant horizontal lines on which notes are placed in order to represent pitch or a grouping element for individual 'strands' of notes, rests, etc. that may or may not actually be rendered on staff lines; that is, both diastematic and non-diastematic signs.
staffDefContainer for staff meta-information.
staffGrpA group of bracketed or braced staves.
sylIndividual lyric syllable.
symbolA reference to a previously defined symbol.
tempoText and symbols descriptive of tempo, mood, or style, e.g., "allarg.", "a tempo", "cantabile", "Moderato", "♩=60", "Moderato ♩ =60").
termKeyword or phrase which describes a resource.
titleTitle of a bibliographic entity.
widthDescription of the horizontal size of an object.
Text component declarations.
listA formatting element that contains a series of items separated from one another and arranged in a linear, often vertical, sequence.
qContains material which is distinguished from the surrounding phrase-level text using quotation marks or a similar method. Use quote for block-level quotations.
quoteContains a paragraph-like block of text attributed to an external source, normally set off from the surrounding text by spacing or other typographic distinction.
seg(arbitrary segment) represents any segmentation of text below the "text component" level.
User-defined symbols component declarations.
anchoredTextContainer for text that is fixed to a particular page location, regardless of changes made to the layout of the measures around it.
curveA curved line that cannot be represented by a more specific element, such as a slur.
lineA visual line that cannot be represented by a more specific; i.e., semantic, element.
Remarks

In no case should abbr contain elements that would not otherwise be permitted to occur within the parent of its own app ancestor. For example, when used as a descendent of verse, abbr should only contain those elements allowed within verse.

The model of this element is based on the abbr element of the Text Encoding Initiative (TEI) and the abbr element of the Encoded Archival Description (EAD).

Declaration
<elementSpec ident="abbr" module="MEI.edittrans">
<gloss versionDate="2022-05-18" xml:lang="en">abbreviation</gloss>
<desc xml:lang="en">A generic element for 1) a shortened form of a word, including an acronym or 2) a shorthand notation.</desc>
<classes>
<memberOf key="att.common"/>
<memberOf key="att.edit"/>
<memberOf key="att.facsimile"/>
<memberOf key="att.lang"/>
<memberOf key="att.trans"/>
<memberOf key="model.editorialLike"/>
</classes>
<content>
<rng:zeroOrMore>
<rng:choice>
<rng:text/>
<rng:ref name="model.divLike"/>
<rng:ref name="model.editLike"/>
<rng:ref name="model.editTransPart"/>
<rng:ref name="model.fLike"/>
<rng:ref name="model.graphicPrimitiveLike"/>
<rng:ref name="model.layerPart"/>
<rng:ref name="model.milestoneLike.music"/>
<rng:ref name="model.neumeComponentModifierLike"/>
<rng:ref name="model.neumeModifierLike"/>
<rng:ref name="model.neumePart"/>
<rng:ref name="model.sectionPart"/>
<rng:ref name="model.staffGrpLike"/>
<rng:ref name="model.transcriptionLike"/>
</rng:choice>
</rng:zeroOrMore>
</content>
<attList>
<attDef ident="expan" usage="opt">
<desc xml:lang="en">Records the expansion of a text abbreviation.</desc>
<datatype>
<rng:data type="string"/>
</datatype>
</attDef>
</attList>
<remarks xml:lang="en">
<p>In no case should <gi scheme="MEI">abbr</gi> contain elements that would not otherwise be permitted to occur within the parent of its own <gi scheme="MEI">app</gi> ancestor. For example, when used as a descendent of <gi scheme="MEI">verse</gi>, <gi scheme="MEI">abbr</gi> should only contain those elements allowed within <gi scheme="MEI">verse</gi>.</p>
</remarks>
<remarks xml:lang="en">
<p>The model of this element is based on the <ref target="https://tei-c.org/release/doc/tei-p5-doc/en/html/ref-abbr.html">abbr</ref> element of the Text Encoding Initiative (TEI) and the <ref target="https://www.loc.gov/ead/EAD3taglib/EAD3-TL-eng.html#elem-abbr">abbr</ref> element of the Encoded Archival Description (EAD).</p>
</remarks>
</elementSpec>
MEI Version: 5.0.0-dev(#dde014f)