Athumb index, also called acut-in index[1] or anindex notch,[2] is a round cut-out in the pages ofdictionaries,encyclopedias,Bibles and other largereligious books, and various sectioned, oftenalphabetic,reference works, used to locate entries starting at a particularletter or section. The individual notches are calledthumb cuts and enable the reader to turn to any section they want.
Several ways to achieve this indexing effect were invented and patented in the 1970s byArthur S. Friedman, a printing engineer inNew York.[3] Charles Halbert Denison alsopatented the marginal thumb indexing system forbookkeeping,[4] with his business taken over by his wifeDimies T. Stocking Denison after his death in 1911.[5][6]
| Page layout and typography |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Front and back covers | ||
| Endpapers | ||
| Front matter | ||
| Body matter | ||
| Back matter | ||
| Other elements | ||
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