These lists may be nested
A glossary (or definition list) is a list of paragraphs each of which has a short title alongside it. Apart from glossaries, this element is useful for presenting a set of named elements to the reader. The elements within a glossary follow are introduced by these elements:
These elements must appear in pairs. Single occurrences of DT without a following DD are allowed, and have the same significance as if the DD had been present with no text.. The one attribute which DL can take is
The definition list DT, DD pairs are arranged vertically. For each pair, the DT element is on the left, in a column of about a third of the display area, and the DD element is in the right hand two thirds of the display area. The DT term is normally small enough to fit on one line within the left-hand column. If it is longer, it will either extend across the page, in which case the DD section is moved down to separate them, or it is wrapped onto successive lines of the left hand column.
This is sometimes implemented with the use of a large negative first line indent.
White space is typically left between successive DT,DD pairs unless the COMPACT attribute is given. The COMPACT attribute is appropriate for lists which are long and/or have DT,DD pairs which each take only a line or two. It is of course possible for the rendering software to discover these cases itself and make its own decisions, and this is to be encouraged.
The COMPACT attribute may also reduce the width of the left-hand (DT) column.
<DL> <DT>Term the first<DD>definition paragraph is reasonably long but is still displayed clearly <DT>Term2 follows<DD>Definition of term2 </DL> <DL COMPACT> <DT>Term<DD>definition paragraph <DT>Term2<DD>Definition of term2 </DL>
<UL> <LI> list element <LI> another list element ... </UL>
The opening list tag may be any of UL, OL, MENU or DIR. It must be immediately followed by the first list element.
The representation of the list is not defined here, but a bulleted list for unordered lists, and a sequence of numbered paragraphs for an ordered list would be quite appropriate. Other possibilities for interactive display include embedded scrollable browse panels.
List elements with typical rendering are:
<OL> <LI> When you get to the station, leave by the southern exit, on platform one. <LI>Turn left to face toward the mountain <LI>Walk for a mile or so until you reach the "Asquith Arms" then <LI>Wait and see... </OL> < MENU > <LI>The oranges should be pressed fresh <LI>The nuts may come from a packet <LI>The gin must be good quality </MENU> < DIR > <LI>A-H<LI>I-M <LI>M-R<LI>S-Z </DIR>