Headnotes

/ˈhɛdnoʊts/ noun

Definition

Plural of headnote; multiple brief explanatory notes or summaries printed at the beginning of texts, articles, or legal documents.

Etymology

Plural of 'headnote' (compound of 'head' + 'note'). Commonly used in legal publishing, academic journals, and editorial contexts.

Kelly Says

Before digital search became common, headnotes were crucial for legal research—lawyers would skim headnotes of hundreds of cases to find relevant ones, making good headnote writing a valuable skill.

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