Appendix A: Glossary

The following are Windows concepts and features that are helpful to know in order to work with Microsoft Word.

CASCADING MENU. An additional list of options for a selected menu item.

CLICK. Briefly depress and release the primary mouse button (usually the left button). You will use the single click to position the insertion point in a document or select a Word menu item, for example. 

DOUBLE-CLICK. Click the primary mouse button twice quickly.

DIALOG BOX. A type of menu contained within a box on the screen that lets you select and activate options (such as printing options).

DRAG. Depress and continue holding down the primary mouse button as you move the mouse. In Word you will use the drag operation to select a section of text to cut and paste, for example.

I-BEAM POINTER. When the mouse pointer is moved into an area where text is to be entered the pointer shape changes to something resembling an upper case I.

ICON or BUTTON. A picture representing a feature (such as "Print") or program (such as Word).

INSERTION POINT. The blinking, vertical line on the screen. It marks where you are in a Word document.

MENU. A list of options displayed on the screen from which you can select a particular function or command. If a feature is currently unavailable, that option is dimmed.

MOUSE. A pointing device which is used to control the operation of the computer, such as starting up Word (or some other application program), positioning the insertion point (see definition below) in a document, or selecting an item from a menu. A pointer (an arrow or other shape) moves across the screen as you move the mouse across a flat surface [Note: A track ball is another type of pointing device that may be used instead of a mouse.]

MOUSE BUTTON. Every Windows mouse (or track ball) has at least one button, which when depressed quickly either once or twice initiates some computer action. (See CLICK and DOUBLE-CLICK above.)

SHORTCUT MENU. A context sensitive menu activated by clicking the secondary (e.g., right) mouse button.

WINDOW. A bordered and named area on the screen in which a Word document is displayed. A window may cover a portion or the entire computer screen.