Terminology-Q

Terminology… Q

Qualifier

A term (enclosed in parentheses) placed after a subject heading for the purpose of distinguishing between homographs (words which are spelled the same but have different meanings) or for the purpose of clarifying the meaning of the heading. For example:

• Atlas (Missile)
• Atlas (Vertebra)
• Socks (Cat)

Also a term (enclosed in parentheses) placed after name headings for purposes of amplifying the headings or distinguishing between similar headings. For example:

Smith, John Q. (John Quincy) National Museum of American History (U.S.) (Google)