Intypography, adinkus is a typographic device or convention that typically consists of three spacedasterisks orbullet symbols in a horizontal row, e.g. ∗ ∗ ∗ or • • • . The device has a variety of uses, and it usually denotes an intentional omission or a logical "break" of varying degree in a written work. This latter use is similar to asubsection, and it indicates that the subsequent text should be re-contextualized. Such a dinkus typically appearscentrally aligned on a line of its own with vertical spacing before and after the device. The dinkus has been in use in various forms sincec. 1850.[1][2] Historically, the dinkus was often represented as anasterism,⁂, though this has fallen out of favor and is now nearly obsolete.[3]
The word was coined by an artist on the Australian periodicalThe Bulletin in the 1920s and is derived from the worddinky.[4]
The dinkus is used for various purposes, but many of them are related to an intentional break in the flow of the text.
A dinkus can be used to accentuate a break betweensubsections of a single section.[5] A dinkus dividing a larger section[6][7] is intended is to maintain a sense of continuity within the overall chapter or section while changing elements of the setting or timeline.[8][9] For instance, to introduce aflashback or other scene change, a dinkus can help denote the change within the overall theme of the chapter; in that case, it can be preferable to the initiation of a new chapter.[10] This technique is used especially inliterary fiction.[8][10]
Many applications of the dinkus, including those that were common historically, have indicated intentional omission of information.[1] Such a dinkus informs the reader that the information has been omitted.[2] It can also mean "untitled" or that the author or title was withheld. This is evident, for example, in some editions ofAlbum for the Young by composerRobert Schumann (№ 21, 26, and 30).[11]
A dinkus can also be used in any context as a simple means of abbreviation of any text.[9] The dinkus is used specifically in this capacity within the sphere oflawmaking, particularly forcity ordinances. When used in legal text, the dinkus indicates an abbreviation within amendments to code while not implying therepeal of the omitted sections.[12]
Newspapers, magazines, and other works can use dinkuses as simple ornamentation, for solely aesthetic reasons.[13] A primarily aesthetic dinkus often takes the form of afleuron, e.g.,❧ or adingbat.[14]
In some cases, a dinkus has been employed in poetry to convey non-verbal meaning. This is exemplified in the poemThresholes by Lara Mimosa Montes, which frequently uses a circular dinkus, ○ , as a form of "punctuation at the level of the full text, rather than the phrase or the sentence".[15]
Many dinkuses are composed partially or entirely of asterisks. Other symbols include a series of dots,[16][17]fleurons,[17]asterisms, or small drawings.[4]Esperanto Braille punctuation commonly uses a series of colons,⠒⠒⠒, as a dinkus.
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Among olderHungarian Americans andPolish Americans,dinkus (ordyngus) is an archaic term forEaster Monday.[18]
InAustralian English, particularly in thenews media, the word "dinkus" refers to a small photograph of the author of a news article.[19][20] Outside Australia, this is often referred to as aheadshot.
A dinkus is a small drawing used in printing to decorate a page, or to break up a block of type. It was coined by an artist on [Sydney's]The Bulletin magazine in the 1920s, and it is derived from the word dinky, meaning 'small'