3

EDITORIAL RULES, CONTINUED

3.3

Terms ^[1]

Included in this chapter

• Term ID (required-default)^[2]
  
• Term (required)
• Preferred Flag (required-default)
• Qualifier
• Sequence Number (required-default)
• Historical Flag (required-default)
• Term Type (required-default)
• Vernacular Flag (required-default)
• Language for Terms
• Preferred Flag for Language
• Contributor for Term (required-default)
• Preferred Flag for Contributor (required-default)
• Sources for Terms (required)
• Page Number for Term Source (required)
• Preferred Flag for Source (required-default)
• Dates for Terms
• Display Term Flag (required-default)
• AACR Flag (LC heading)
• Other Flags
• Assigned To
  

• Example

3.3.1

Term ID (required default)

3.3.1.1

Definition
Number identifying a term in AAT.

3.3.1.2

Values
Numbers are system-generated in the following range: 1000000000 - 1999999999.

3.3.1.3

RULES

• Term IDs may not be edited by the editors.
  
  
• The system assigns unique, consecutive numbers to terms as they are created or loaded in AAT. Numbers of deleted terms are not re-used.
  
  
• Each term in each subject record has a different term ID. Homographs do not share the same term ID.

3.3.2

Term (required)

3.3.2.1

Definition
A word or words used to refer to a definable, unique concept.

• Examples
  

3.3.2.2

Values
Terms is a free-text field; values may be ASCII characters (including numbers). No special characters or diacritics are allowed; diacritics must be expressed according to the codes in Appendix A.

3.3.2.3

Sources
Sources are discussed in a separate section, Sources for terms below.

3.3.2.4

Discussion
The Term in AAT is analogous to the Name in ULAN and the Name in TGN.

   » Descriptors and the preferred term

The preferred term in each AAT record is always a "descriptor." There may be multiple descriptors in a record (generally the descriptors in American English and other languages), but there is only one preferred term.

• A preferred term is sometimes the only term in the record. The preferred term is the American English term used most often in standard general reference sources. It is the term that is displayed in the default hierarchy display, thus it is sometimes called the "default record-preferred term." The preferred British English term (if any) must be flagged to allow the construction of a British English hierarchy. Additional alternate and variant terms for the concept should be included as well.
  

   » Compound terms

Multiword or compound terms in natural language are lexemes, that is, words bound together as lexical units. Dictionaries differ in their policies regarding the inclusion of compound terms, and thus they are not always authorities regarding what is and is not a compound term in the AAT. A compound term must express a single concept or unit of thought capable of being arranged in a genus-species relationship within the AAT hierarchy. See the rules at Single word vs. multiword terms below.

   » Precoordinated and postcoordinated terms

When two or more concepts are combined (e.g., Baroque cathedrals), this is referred to as 1) precoordination when the concepts are combined in the thesaurus, and 2) postcoordination when the concepts are combined in search and retrieval. Precoordination of terms is not allowed in the construction of the AAT, however, end users often precoordinate terms in their own systems for indexing or for creating headings and subheadings for browsing and navigation on a Web site. Postcoordinate retrieval is very useful and may be employed by end users.

3.3.2.5

RULES

3.3.2.5.1

Minimum requirements
It is required to record at least one term - the preferred term, which is the word or phrase used most often in scholarly literature to refer to the concept. Excluded are proper names of persons, organizations, geographic places, named subjects, and named events.

• Warrant: You must find the preferred term in at least three authoritative sources. See Sources for Terms below.
  
  
• List as many variant or alternate terms as have at least one legitimate source. It is not required to add variant terms, however, you should consult sources to gather alternate terms as time and editorial priorities allow.

3.3.2.5.2

Alphabet and diacritics

   » Roman alphabet

Use the Roman alphabet to record all terms

• Transliterations
  For terms in a language that is not written in the Roman alphabet (e.g., Greek or Chinese), record the vernacular term that has been transliterated into the Roman alphabet. For the preferred term, you should ideally use a source that has a transliteration derived by applying pertinent ISO standards.
  
  
• Diacritics
  Do not include diacritics or special characters in the term field. Indicate diacritical marks by using the diacritical codes in Appendix A.

• Example

• If you are cutting and pasting terms from an online source, to avoid accidentally pasting special characters and html codes in the term field, do the following: Paste the term into Notepad text editor, delete diacritics and replace them with the codes from Appendix A, then copy the term and paste it into VCS. (Notepad will automatically remove many special characters, but you will have to manually replace the diacritics.)

3.3.2.5.3

Capitalization
In general, use all lower case, except for terms based on proper nouns or proper adjectives (German, Ionic). Exceptions include the names of styles and periods (Inuit, Louis XVI) and terms that include a brand name (Kodachrome (TM)).

• Examples
  
  
• tempera
  
• stained glass
  
• decorative arts
  
• painter
  
• watercolorist
  
• Angevin Gothic
  
• Fome-Cor (TM)
  
• Brussels lace
  
• Tudor roses

   » Mixed case

Terms and other information should be expressed in lower case or mixed case (i.e., not in all-upper case). If your source lists the term in all caps, translate it to all lower case or mixed case, as appropriate.

• Use all caps only for an abbreviation, code, or other rare case when the term is commonly or always spelled in all caps (e.g., CD-ROM).
  

   » German and other languages

For terms in languages other than English, follow the capitalization rules of that language. For example, nouns in German are capitalized (e.g., altarpiece in English, Altarbild in German).

3.3.2.5.4

Punctuation
Avoid all punctuation except commas, hyphens, and apostrophes. Commas may be used for inverted terms. Hyphens may be used for hyphenated words. Apostrophes are allowed for possessives.

• Use parentheses in the Term field only for the trademark symbol (see Fome-Cor (TM) example above). Use the ampersand (&) only as a symbol in a trademark or a term based on a proper name.
  
  
• Do NOT use parentheses for qualifiers; put qualifiers in the Qualifier field, and the parentheses will be added when the data is published. Do NOT use angled brackets for Guide terms; label the Record Type as Guide term, and angled brackets will be added to the descriptor when the data is published.

3.3.2.5.5

Single-word vs. multiword terms
Each term must represent a single concept or unit of thought. A single concept is frequently expressed by a single-word term, but in many cases a multiword term may be required to represent the concept. A multiword term for a concept is called a compound term. A compound term typically has a focus word and one or more modifiers.

• Examples
  [examples of valid single and multiword terms]
  

• A quick test: If either of the components of a compound term expresses different concepts when separate than when they are part of a compound term, bind them together in a compound term. If components of a compound term express the same meaning whether they are individual terms or part of a compound term, do NOT make a compound term. When in doubt, consult with your supervisor; also search the AAT to find similar examples and follow precedent.

   » When to create a compound term

Make a compound term when one or more of the following conditions exist:

• When the meaning of the expression cannot be accurately reconstructed from the constituent independent parts, generally because the modifier or the focus term changes its meaning in the compound expression (e.g., High Gothic).
  
  
• When the modifier suggests a resemblance, as in a metaphor, to an unrelated thing or event (e.g., rose windows, barrel organs, spade money, saddlebag houses).
  
  
• When the modifier defines a specific shape or type of the focus term (e.g., sleigh beds, basket capitals, window seats, ice houses).
  
  
• When the modifier defines the purpose or function of the focus term, and this purpose or function gives the focus term a specific form (e.g., prayer rugs, china cabinets, crib barns, measuring cups).
  
  
• When components of a compound term are too vague to stand on their own (e.g., first drafts, official documents, stone cutters, lost cities).
  
  
• When the compound includes relational parts of speech (e.g., chests with drawers, books of hours, towers of silence, chapels of ease).
  
  
• When the compound term includes a proper noun or adjective (other than a style term) (e.g., Brewster chairs, Usonian houses, Rangeley boats, Schuetzen rifles).
  
  
• When the modifier does not define a subclass of the focus term or when the modifier changes the meaning of the focus term (e.g., paper airplanes, tin soldiers, artificial limbs, Greek fire).
  
  
• When the modifier is the governing administrator of the focus term (e.g., cathedral cities, capital cities, army bases, colonial cities).
  
  
• When one of the components of a compound term is derived from a guide term (e.g., subway cars, research vessels, emergency currency, clothing stores).
  
  
• When one or more of the components of the compound term are not AAT descriptors and are not appropriate to add.
  
  
• Where there may be a problem in retrieval or vocabulary control, as when splitting the compound term would result in confusion in retrieval due to too many false hits (e.g., library science, science library, foreign correspondent, folding rules).
  
  
• When the distinction between two or more compound terms is confused in the discipline and the distinction would be lost if the terms were not bound as compound terms (Hint: If the scope note distinguishes between the terms, make two compound terms) (e.g., log cabins, log houses, business schools, business colleges, military photography, war photography).
  
  
• When the compound term is in a foreign language (e.g., lits à la duchesse, cadavres exquis, p'ai-lous, aes rude).
  
  
• When the compound term has a trade mark (e.g., Conte crayons (TM), Plastic Wood (TM), Zonolite Concrete (TM)).
  
  
• When the compound term has become so familiar in common use or in the discipline, that it is considered for practical purposes to represent a single concept (e.g., data processing, art history).

 » When to avoid making a compound term

As ISO (International Organization for Standardization) has stated, dealing with compound terms is one of the most difficult areas of thesaurus construction and indexing. Terms in the thesaurus should represent simple or unitary concepts; compound terms or headings should be factored into simpler elements whenever possible. Unless there is precedent and a guide term for the concept already established in the AAT, do not make compound terms in any of the following situations.

• Do not make a compound term composed of a noun phrase containing an adjective ("modifier") that designates material or style. Doing so would mean that these adjectives would recur in infinite combinations throughout the AAT. End users may join the distinct AAT terms for indexing (see below).

  [examples of what is NOT allowed as compound terms]

• Do not make a compound term when the modifier is a physical attribute or property, including modifiers that imply an action that has been performed on or with the focus term.

• Do not make a compound term when the modifier specifies the scope or content of the focus term.

• Do not make a compound term when the modifier indicates the agent who possesses or produces the focus term.

• Do not make a compound term when the words express a whole/part relationship or when the modifier is otherwise a location or context of the focus term.

» "Modified Descriptors" created by end users

End users will ideally have local authorities that are populated by and updated from annual releases of the AAT. Compound terms (modified descriptors) or headings may then be constructed in their local systems in any of three ways.

• In the first example below, the material red silk is displayed in the free-text field and indexed in controlled fields. The Material and Color are indexed in separate fields that are controlled by the local authority, called the "Concept Authority" in the examples below.

• Some institutions may not have free-text fields, and thus may need to combine the discrete concepts from the Concept Authority into compound terms in the controlled fields in the Work Record. If so, ideally each part of the phrase, such as red silk in the Materials field, should retain its original links to the discrete parts of the Concept Authority.

• Another way to include compound terms in the Work Record is by adding compound terms to the local Concept Authority. This may be necessary for institutions that are building specialized authorities for their local use. In the example below, each color of silk is listed as a separate compound term in the local Concept Authority. If this method is employed, the institution must consider how to effectively flag such terms that are no longer compatible with standard sources of vocabulary, such as the AAT.

» Application protocol for end users re. "Modified Descriptors"

End users may combine separate AAT terms to make headings, called "modified descriptors" for short phrases and "strings" for longer subject headings. This discussion deals with modified descriptors only, not with the construction of longer subject heading strings. Users generally should create modified descriptors whenever the two or more components of their phrase are already in the AAT, rather than submitting new candidate terms. Note that although the topic is called "modified descriptors," the user may combine a modifier with any term in the AAT record, not only the descriptor per se.

• A modified descriptor consists of a descriptor (or alternate descriptor or used for term, if so dictated by local preference) chosen as the focus term, and other terms serving as modifiers.
• A modified descriptor must include only one focus term. As many modifiers as necessary may be used.
• Modifiers should generally precede the focus term. However, alter this rule as necessary to reflect natural language.
• Do not use punctuation between the focus term and the modifier(s).
• When multiple modifiers are used, the terms should be arranged in the order of the facets, except when this order is confusing or does not reflect natural language:

  1. Associated Concepts (adjectival form)
  2. Physical Attributes (adjectival form)
  3. Styles and Periods
  4. Agents (possessive form where appropriate)
  5. Activities (past tense form)
  6. Materials
  7. Objects (for an object part, use the alternate singular form of the whole as the modifier for the part, e.g., church doors)

  • Examples
    [Read these modified descriptor terms vertically, top to bottom. Terms reflect the order of the AAT facets. The focus term is underlined. The order may be changed if it is confusing or reads awkwardly in natural language.]
    

3.3.2.5.6

Facet and hierarchy names
Do not edit, merge, or move the records for the top levels of the AAT hierarchy, including the facets and hierarchies without the permission of your supervisor. See also Guide terms below.

3.3.2.5.7

Preferred term
For the preferred term, choose the term most often used in standard and scholarly American English sources. The preferred term, and all other descriptors, must be found in at least three sources. For the form of the preferred term in the different AAT Hierarchies, see 3.1 Hierarchical Relationships.

• Flag the preferred term. See Preferred Flag below. Make the preferred term a Descriptor (see Term Type).
  
  
• To determine which term is most commonly used, consult standard dictionaries, encyclopedia, textbooks, and authoritative Web sites. See Sources for terms for a list of standard sources.
  
  
• For terms that are not found in standard sources, consult specialized books, journal articles, and other published sources.
  

   » Consistency

Within any given section of the hierarchy, for the preferred term, be consistent regarding the singular vs. plural, fullness of the term, spelling style, and punctuation.

• For Associated Concepts: Descriptors should be nouns. Use of the singular or plural form is decided on the basis of literary warrant and common usage. Provide adjectival forms as alternate descriptors in some cases (e.g., for Buddhism, alternate descriptor = Buddhist). Keep in mind that descriptors and alternate descriptors may be used by end users in combination with other terms (e.g., Buddhist + monasteries; Inuit + customs).
  
  
• For Physical Attributes: Some descriptors may be adjectives; others should be nouns with an adjective provided as an alternate descriptor. Choose the form based on precedent, together with need and usage. Remember that descriptors and alternate descriptors will be used by end users in combination with other terms (e.g., handmade + carpets; porous + stone).
  
  
• For Conditions and Effects: Descriptors should be in the noun form, with alternate descriptors provided as appropriate. In some cases the alternate is the singular noun (e.g., defects with the alternate defect) and others are an adjective form (e.g., wear, alternate worn). Remember that end users use descriptors and alternate descriptors in combination with other terms (e.g., paint + cleavage; surface + defects).
  
  
• For Design Elements: Descriptors should be plural nouns except where usage dictates the singular, including most pattern types (e.g., herringbone). For those in the plural, make singular forms as alternate descriptors if appropriate. Note that end users will create terms for motifs based on objects or figures, by using alternate descriptors from other hierarchies with the term motif (e.g., shell + motif; tree + motif).
  
  
• For Colors: Descriptors should be in noun or adjectival form as appropriate. Provide singular forms as alternate descriptors to plural noun descriptors. End users may combine descriptors and alternate descriptors other terms (deep greenish blue + silk; warm color + perception; deep purple + tint).
  
  
• For Styles and Periods: Descriptors from the Styles and Periods hierarchy are intended to be used as modifiers and therefore are in adjectival form, where such exists (e.g., Greek). Otherwise they are in noun form to be used as noun modifiers (e.g., Shawnee). In the modern and post-1945 sections, where a descriptor is an adjective derived from the descriptor of an artistic movement, the descriptor of that movement appears as an alternate descriptor (e.g., Cubist, alternate Cubism). End users will create some style names by combining two or more descriptors from this hierarchy (e.g., French + Renaissance). When place names are needed, users will be advised to take them from the Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names, (e.g., Massachusetts + Italianate + houses).
  
  
• For Agents: Descriptors appear as plural nouns, with the singular, the singular possessive, and the plural possessive provided as alternate descriptors. Descriptors and alternate descriptors may be combined with others (e.g., president's + personal papers; artists' + husbands; photograph + librarians). For further discussion regarding terms, see 3.3 Terms.
  
  
• For Organizations: Descriptors are plural nouns, with the singular noun as alternate descriptors. End users will combine descriptors with other terms (e.g., democratic + Greek + city-states, librarians' + professional associations).
  
  
• For Disciplines: Descriptors appear as singular nouns, except where common usage dictates the plural (e.g., sciences). Include adjectival forms as alternate descriptors where justified by common usage. End users will combine descriptors and alternate descriptors with other terms (e.g., dance + photography; highway + engineering; Canadian + printmaking).
  
  
• For Functions: Descriptors should be in gerund form or in the most commonly used noun form. Adjectival forms are provided as alternate descriptors in some cases as justified by common usage. End users may combine descriptors and alternate descriptors with other terms (e.g., promoting + military personnel; hospital + maintenance; accredited + institutions).
  
  
• For Events: Descriptors are plural nouns, unless common usage dictates the singular. Singular forms are provided as alternate descriptors to plural descriptors. End users may combine descriptors and alternate descriptors with other terms (e.g., Micmac + feasts; boat + races; children's + birthdays).
  
  
• For Physical and Mental Activities: Descriptors appear in either noun or gerund form. They may be used in combination with descriptors from this and other hierarchies (e.g., baseball + bats: automobile + racing).
  
  
• For Processes and Techniques: Descriptors are in gerund or noun form according to need and usage (e.g., abrasion, tuning, tapestry). Adjectival forms are provided as alternate descriptors where appropriate. End users may use descriptors with other terms (e.g., hand-colored + photographs: Medieval + cloisonné; half-timber + cottages).
  
  
• For Materials: Most descriptors are singular nouns, except where common usage warrants the plural form. Where appropriate, the plural forms of singular descriptors are provided as alternate descriptors. End users may combine descriptors and alternate descriptors with other terms (e.g., stained glass + windows; canvas + sails; archival quality + mounting board; hardwood + shavings).
  
  
• For Objects: Descriptors are plural nouns, with the singular form provided as an alternate descriptor where appropriate. End users may use descriptors with other terms (e.g., postcard + collections: railroad + personnel).
  
  
• For Object Genres: Descriptors are plural nouns with the singular form provided as an alternate descriptor where appropriate. Descriptors may be used in combination with other terms (e.g., Sumerian + votive offerings; furniture + reproductions; prototype + houses).
  
  
• For Components: Descriptors appear as plural nouns with the singular form provided as an alternate descriptor when appropriate. End users may use descriptors with other terms (e.g., Ionic + capitals; satin + lapels).
  
  
• For Settlements and Landscapes: Descriptors are plural nouns with the singular form provided as an alternate descriptor when appropriate. Users may use descriptors with other terms (e.g., city + streets; protected + wetlands; Medieval + towns).
  
  
• For Built Complexes and Districts: Descriptors are plural nouns with the singular form provided as an alternate descriptor when appropriate. End users may use descriptors with other terms (e.g., district + zoning; prefabricated + housing; Shaker + cemeteries; rehabilitated + inner cities).
  
  
• For Single Built Works: Descriptors are plural nouns with the singular form provided as an alternate descriptor when appropriate. End users may use descriptors with other terms (e.g., Georgian + saltbox houses; three-story + parking garages; modular + houses; fieldstone + cottages).
  
  
• For Open Spaces and Site Elements: Descriptors are plural nouns with the singular form provided as an alternate descriptor when appropriate. End users may combine descriptors with other terms (e.g., concrete + bollards; carved + boundary stones; Renaissance + gardens).
  
  
• For Furnishings: Descriptors are plural nouns with the singular form provided as an alternate descriptor when appropriate. End users may use descriptors with other terms (e.g., blockfront + desks; upholstered + chairs; hooked + rugs; Baroque + frames).
  
  
• For Costume: Descriptors are plural nouns with the singular form provided as an alternate descriptor when appropriate. End users will use descriptors with other terms (e.g., fur + coats; Greek + jewelry; wedding + veils).
  
  
• For Tools and Equipment: Descriptors are plural nouns with the singular form provided as an alternate descriptor when appropriate. End users may use descriptors with other terms (e.g., pen + drawings; cast iron + bench anvils).
  
  
• For Weapons and Ammunition: Descriptors are plural nouns. Singular forms are provided as alternate descriptors. End users use descriptors and alternate descriptors with other terms (e.g., Japanese + engraved + steel + swords; security guards' + handguns).
  
  
• For Measuring Devices: Descriptors are plural nouns. Singular forms are provided as alternate descriptors. End users will combine descriptors and alternate descriptors with other terms (e.g., Renaissance + brass (alloy) + astrolabes).
  
  
• For Containers: Descriptors are plural nouns. Singular forms are provided as alternate descriptors. End users may use descriptors and alternate descriptors with other terms (e.g., enameled + snuff boxes; coiled + pots; creamware + teacups).
  
  
• For Sound Devices: Descriptors are plural nouns. Singular forms are provided as alternate descriptors as appropriate. End users may use descriptors and alternate descriptors with other terms (e.g., alto + flutes, American colonial + church + bell).
  
  
• For Recreational Artifacts: Descriptors are plural nouns. Singular forms are provided as alternate descriptors as appropriate. Descriptors and alternate descriptors are available for use in combination with others (e.g., tin + toys; round + sandboxes).
  
  
• For Transportation Vehicles: Descriptors are plural nouns. Singular forms are provided as alternate descriptors as appropriate. End users may combine descriptors and alternate descriptors with other terms (e.g., oak + carts; yellow + taxicabs).
  
  
• For Visual Works: Descriptors are plural nouns. Singular forms are provided as alternate descriptors as appropriate. End users may use descriptors and alternate descriptors with other terms (e.g., Byzantine + icons; ink + drawings; garden + sculpture; portrait + photographs).
  
  
• For Exchange Media: Descriptors are plural nouns. Singular forms are provided as alternate descriptors as appropriate. End users may use descriptors and alternate descriptors with other terms (e.g., gold + coins; French + francs; Canadian + dollars).
  
  
• For Information Forms: Descriptors are plural nouns. Singular forms are provided as alternate descriptors as appropriate. End users may use descriptors and alternate descriptors with other terms (e.g., plastic + relief maps; furniture + pattern books; newspaper + advertisements).

3.3.2.5.8

Non-Preferred terms
At minimum, endeavor to include important alternate and variant terms that appear in major published sources and represent significant differences from the preferred term in form or spelling. As time and editorial priorities allow, check additional dictionaries, encyclopedia, text books, and LC Subject Headings (see AACR2 Flag below); include additional alternate and variant terms, even if the differences in spelling and punctuation are minor.

• Include non-preferred terms as described below. Be certain that all the non-preferred terms are flagged as Non-preferred. See also the discussion at term Type and Preferred Flag below.
  

   » Descriptors

There is only one preferred term per record, but there may be multiple descriptors (flagged with Term Type = descriptor). Descriptors are the terms that will be used by default in displays and in indexing (i.e., when end users have a policy of using one single term consistently).

• The descriptor in American English is required and must be flagged as the preferred term in the record (see Preferred term above). Also include the descriptor in British English if it differs from American English; include descriptors in any other languages, if known or as instructed by your supervisor.
  
  
• For each descriptor in various languages, mark its language as preferred. A Descriptor is the preferred term for an AAT concept in a given language; in other words, it is the term used most often to refer to that concept in the language.
  

   » Alternate Descriptors

Alternate descriptors have a different grammatical form than the descriptor. Include all appropriate Alternate Descriptors (AD) for the preferred term Descriptor (D). Refer to the following list for guidance in adding Alternate Descriptors in American English.

• Singular AD for plural D: Objects Facet, all hierarchies; Events hierarchy; Organizations hierarchy; People hierarchy: Include a singular form of the plural descriptor (e.g., cathedral is the alternate descriptor for the descriptor cathedrals; christening for the descriptor christenings; society for the descriptor societies). You do not need to include singular forms for all used for terms, unless the spelling is unusual. For example, include the singular form if the plural spelling is not formed by the simple addition of an "s" for English words and for all words in languages other than English, if known.
  
  
• Plural AD for singular D: Materials hierarchy, Object facet: Include a plural form of singular noun descriptors (e.g., clays is the alternate descriptor for the descriptor clay; embroideries for the descriptor embroidery).
  
  
• Past participle AD for verbal noun or gerund D: Processes, Techniques, Physical and Mental Activities hierarchies, Functions: Include the past participle of a verbal noun or gerund (e.g., carved is an alternate descriptor for carving; maintained for the descriptor maintenance).
  
  
• Adverbial AD for noun D: Disciplines hierarchy: Include the adverbial form of a noun descriptor (e.g., the alternate descriptor mathematical for the descriptor mathematics).
  
  
• Possessive AD for noun D: People hierarchy: Include the singular noun form, and the singular and plural possessives as alternate descriptors (e.g., for the descriptor deacons, alternate descriptors are painter, painter's, and painters' ).
  
  
• Noun AD for adjectival D: Styles and Periods hierarchy: Include an alternate descriptor that is the noun form of an adjective (e.g., include Impressionist for the descriptor Impressionism).
  
  
• Adjectival AD for noun D: Associated Concepts hierarchy: Include an alternate descriptor that is the adjectival form of a noun descriptor whenever appropriate in the Associated Concepts hierarchy (e.g., include Buddhist for the descriptor Buddhism).
  
  
  • Add adjectives as alternate descriptors in other hierarchies where appropriate, and when time and editorial priorities allow.
    
    
• No AD: Physical Attributes facet: Terms in this facet tend to be adjectives and have no Alternate Descriptors.
  
  
• Other languages: Include alternate descriptors for descriptors in other languages as your own expertise and your sources warrant.
  

   » Used For terms

Add used for terms that are 1) spelling or grammatical variants of the descriptor or 2) have true synonymity with the descriptor.

• No "upward posting": In many thesauri it is acceptable to include used for terms that are not true synonyms, but are actually narrower contexts to the descriptor. This is called upward posting; it is forbidden in the AAT. If a term represents a valid child of the concept, add it as a child.

3.3.2.5.9

Spelling variants
Include variants that differ in spelling, diacritics, capitalization, or punctuation (e.g., bird's eye views is a spelling variant for the descriptor bird's-eye views).

• Example
  
• still lifes (preferred)
  still life
  still-lifes
  still lives

3.3.2.5.10

Lexical variants
Include different forms of speech for a descriptor, as appropriate. Lexical variants are often alternate descriptors (see Non-Preferred Terms: Alternate Descriptors above). You may include lexical variants as used for terms, if warranted.

3.3.2.5.11

Synonyms
Include all true synonyms for the concept. Synonyms are terms that have meanings that are the same or virtually the same in a wide range of contexts. True synonyms are relatively rare in natural language. The following types of synonyms should be included:

• Terms of different linguistic origin (e.g., sodium and natrium).
• Popular and scientific names (e.g., house cat and Felis domesticus).
• Generic and trade name synonyms (e.g., photocopies and Xeroxes). Note that trade names are included only under rare conditions; see Trademarks below.
• Outdated terms or historical terms (e.g., airports and aerodromes).
  Slang or jargon synonyms (e.g., helicopters and whirlybirds).
• Dialectical or language variants (e.g., elevators and lifts).

3.3.2.5.12

Abbreviations
For the preferred term, avoid abbreviations, initialisms, acronyms, and codes, unless the abbreviation is better known and more often used than the full term.

• For used for (variant) terms, include commonly used abbreviations, codes, acronyms, and initials.
  
  
  • Example
  • Saint Andrew's crosses (preferred, descriptor)
    St. Andrew's crosses (used for)
    
    
• Choose an abbreviation, code, initials, or acronym as the preferred term only in the rare case where the usage is well established and the abbreviation is consistently the preferred or only form in major sources. Include the spelled out versions of such terms as used for terms.
  
  
  • Examples
    
  • HVAC (preferred, descriptor)
    heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (used for)
    heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (used for)
    indoor climate control (used for)
    
    
  • CD-ROMs (preferred, descriptor)
    CD-ROM (alternate descriptor)
    CDROM (used for)
    Cd Roms (used for)
    compact discs read-only memory (used for)
    compact disk read-only memory (used for)
    compact disks read-only memory (used for)
    
    
• Do not use the abbreviation as the preferred term if both the abbreviation and the fuller form are used with equal frequency, or if the abbreviation can be confused with another common abbreviation, even if the other abbreviation is not in the AAT. In the example below, AI could refer to artificial intelligence, but also to army intelligence, artificial insemination, active ingredient, recommended average daily nutrient intake, etc.
  
  
  • Example
    
  • artificial intelligence (preferred, descriptor)
    AI (used for)

3.3.2.5.13

Trademarks
Trademarks or brand names may be included only if the term is found in common usage to refer to a generic material, object, or process. Given that proper names are out of scope for the AAT, do not include a trade name if it refers only to one particular product.

• If you have determined that a trademark or brand name refers to a generic thing, and if the term is an established trademark, spell it with an initial uppercase letter and follow with the code "TM" in parentheses (e.g., Polaroid (TM)).
  
  
• Make the trademark or brand name a used for term if it is commonly used as a true synonym of the generic term rather than an instance of it (i.e., rather than a narrower context of it). A trademark or brand name may be the preferred term only when the trademarked term is used significantly more often than a synonymous generic term.
  
  
  • Examples
    
  • diffusion transfer prints (preferred, descriptor)
    diffusion transfer print (alternate descriptor)
    Polaroid (TM) transfer prints (used for)
    
    
  • Masonite (TM) (preferred, descriptor)

3.3.2.5.14

Singular vs. plural
If the term is a descriptor, and if it can exist as both singular and plural, generally include both forms in the record. Follow the guidelines below in determining whether the singular or plural should be the preferred term.

   » Count nouns

For the preferred term, use the plural for count nouns, that is, for nouns that would be quantified by "how many?" If the preferred term is a plural, make an alternate descriptor in the singular form.

• Examples
  
• chairs (preferred, descriptor)
  chair (alternate descriptor)
  
  
• essays (preferred, descriptor)
  essay (alternate descriptor)

   » Mass nouns

For the preferred term, use the singular for mass nouns, that is, for those nouns that would be quantified by "how much?"

• Examples
  
• iron (preferred, descriptor)
  
• correspondence (preferred, descriptor)
  
  
• If the concept is generally quantified by "how much," but could also occasionally be quantified by "how many," include the plural as an alternate descriptor.
  
  
• Example
• embroidery (preferred, descriptor) Qualifier: visual works
  embroideries (alternate descriptor)
  

   » Processes, properties, and conditions

For the preferred term, use the singular for processes, properties, and conditions.

• Examples
  
• absorbtion (preferred, descriptor)
• boiling point (preferred, descriptor)
• color shift (preferred, descriptor)

   » Materials

For the preferred term, use the singular for materials. Add a plural form of the term as a use for term.

• Examples
  
• stone (preferred, descriptor)
  stones (alternate descriptor)
  
  
• paint (preferred, descriptor)
  paints (alternate descriptor)

3.3.2.5.15

Only one term per field
Caveat: A term is a unique concept (although it may comprise multiple words). A single Term field should not contain multiple terms or headings, as is sometimes found in terms contributed from other databases and in LC Subject Headings.

• Qualifiers: Do not include a second word or term in parentheses. Put qualifiers in the Qualifier field, NOT in the term field. See the section on Qualifiers below.
  
  
  • Example

3.3.2.5.16

Homographs
A homograph is a term that is spelled like another term, but the meanings of the terms are different. When adding a term, always check to see if there is homograph for the term in the AAT. If so, you are required to add qualifiers for both terms.

• You are also required to add qualifiers for terms that do not have homographs in the AAT but for which there are homographs in common language. See 3.3.4 Qualifiers below.

3.3.2.5.17

Guide terms
Guide Terms provide structure to the hierarchy, forming levels below which groups of AAT records may be collocated. To indicate that guide terms cannot be used as indexing terms, they are enclosed in angle brackets when published.

• Example
  
• <photographs by technique>
• <single built works by location or context>
• <single built works by function>
  
  
• Note that the angled brackets appear in displays. Do NOT type angled brackets in the term field. Indicate that a record is a Guide terms by using the Record Type field (see 3.2 Identifying numbers, status flags, and subject sources); implementers will add the brackets when they process and display the data.
  
  
  • Example

• Check with your supervisor before adding or editing guide terms. Create a guide term only 1) to be consistent with other hierarchies in the AAT or 2) when a valid concept record will not suffice to mark the level. Three recurrent guide terms are <...by form>, <...by function>, and <...by location or context>; others are used where necessary (e.g., <…by method of representation>).
  
  
• Records for guide terms generally have only a preferred term (descriptor); do not add used for terms or alternate descriptors for guide terms unless told to do so by your supervisor. (In the future, alternate descriptors in other languages may be added for guide terms.)
  
  
• If you compose a guide term, create a term that will represent the characteristics of division by which a listing of narrower terms is clustered. Follow precedent in the same or similar areas of the AAT hierarchies. For further discussion of Guide Terms, see 3.1 Hierarchical Relationships.

3.3.2.5.18

Language of the terms