<desc>

(description) – Container for text that briefly describes the feature to which it is attached, including its intended usage, purpose, or application as appropriate.
11.3.1 Encoding Genetic States
Module
MEI.shared
Attributes
class, copyof, corresp, facs, follows, label, n, next, precedes, prev, resp, sameas, source, synch, translit, type, xml:base, xml:id, xml:lang
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.
<desc>att.commonatt.typedatt.classed@class
copyof(optional)Points to an element of which the current element is a copy. Value conforms to data.URI.
<desc>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.
<desc>att.commonatt.linking@corresp
facs(optional)Points to one or more images, portions of an image, or surfaces which correspond to the current element. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
<desc>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.
<desc>att.commonatt.linking@follows
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.
<desc>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.
<desc>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.
<desc>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.
<desc>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.
<desc>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.
<desc>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.
<desc>att.commonatt.linking@sameas
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.
<desc>att.source@source
synch(optional)Points to elements that are synchronous with the current element. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
<desc>att.commonatt.linking@synch
translit(optional)Specifies the transliteration technique used. Value is a NMTOKEN.
<desc>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.
<desc>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.
<desc>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.
<desc>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.
<desc>att.lang@xml:lang
(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.facsimile) Attributes that associate a feature corresponding with all or part of an image.
facs(optional)Points to one or more images, portions of an image, or surfaces which correspond to the current element. 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.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.
Facsimile component declarations.
facs(optional)Points to one or more images, portions of an image, or surfaces which correspond to the current element. One or more values from data.URI, separated by spaces.
Component declarations that are shared between two or more modules.
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.
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.
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.
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.descLikeGroups elements which provide a description of their parent entity.
model.eventPartGroups elements that may be used to provide a structured description of an event.
Contained By
attUsageDocuments the usage of a specific attribute of the element.
catRelContains the name, i.e., label, of a related category.
categoryContains an individual descriptive category in a user-defined taxonomy, possibly nested within a superordinate category.
genStateDescribes a distinctive state in the textual development of a work.
namespaceSupplies the formal name of the namespace to which the elements documented by its children belong.
tagUsageDocuments the usage of a specific element within the document.
tagsDeclProvides detailed information about the tagging applied to a document.
taxonomyDefines a typology either implicitly, by means of a bibliographic citation, or explicitly by a structured taxonomy.
(MEI.header) Groups elements that may be used to provide a structured description of an event.
eventContains a free-text event description.
(MEI.shared) Groups elements which provide a description of their parent entity.
Genetic encoding component declarations.
genStateDescribes a distinctive state in the textual development of a work.
Metadata header component declarations.
attUsageDocuments the usage of a specific attribute of the element.
catRelContains the name, i.e., label, of a related category.
categoryContains an individual descriptive category in a user-defined taxonomy, possibly nested within a superordinate category.
namespaceSupplies the formal name of the namespace to which the elements documented by its children belong.
tagUsageDocuments the usage of a specific element within the document.
tagsDeclProvides detailed information about the tagging applied to a document.
taxonomyDefines a typology either implicitly, by means of a bibliographic citation, or explicitly by a structured taxonomy.
Component declarations that are shared between two or more modules.
eventContains a free-text event description.
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 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.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.
segrepresents 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.
postBoxContains a number or other identifier for some postal delivery point other than a street address.
postCodeContains 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.
textual content
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.
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.
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.
Metadata header component declarations.
watermarkContains a description of a watermark or similar device.
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.
postBoxContains a number or other identifier for some postal delivery point other than a street address.
postCodeContains 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'.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
lbAn empty formatting element that forces text to begin on a new line.
nameProper noun or noun phrase.
numNumeric information in any form.
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.
stackAn inline table with a single column.
symbolA reference to a previously defined symbol.
termKeyword or phrase which describes a resource.
titleTitle of a bibliographic entity.
widthDescription of the horizontal size of an object.
Text component declarations.
qContains material which is distinguished from the surrounding phrase-level text using quotation marks or a similar method. Use quote for block-level quotations.
segrepresents any segmentation of text below the "text component" level.
Remarks

The model of this element is based on the desc element of the Text Encoding Initiative (TEI).

Declaration
<elementSpec ident="desc" module="MEI.shared">
<gloss xml:lang="en">description</gloss>
<desc xml:lang="en">Container for text that briefly describes the feature to which it is attached, including its intended usage, purpose, or application as appropriate.</desc>
<classes>
<memberOf key="att.common"/>
<memberOf key="att.facsimile"/>
<memberOf key="att.lang"/>
<memberOf key="att.source"/>
<memberOf key="model.descLike"/>
<memberOf key="model.eventPart"/>
</classes>
<content>
<rng:zeroOrMore>
<rng:choice>
<rng:text/>
<rng:ref name="model.textPhraseLike.limited"/>
<rng:ref name="model.editLike"/>
<rng:ref name="model.transcriptionLike"/>
</rng:choice>
</rng:zeroOrMore>
</content>
<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-desc.html">desc</ref> element of the Text Encoding Initiative (TEI).</p>
</remarks>
</elementSpec>
MEI Version: 5.1-dev(#1404440)