The Serifs
A.k.a. Hachures
Serifs are the curved or - depending on the font - oblong non-structural details on the ends of the strokes.
Depending on the font, the serifs may be very distinct or completely nonexistent ("sans serif"). (Fonts are classified, amongst others, by the kind of serifs. More Information in the next chapter: 3. Font Typology.)
Serifs of various Antiqua fonts:
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1 The serif's concave is round, the serifs are curved or straight. Line thicknesses are very distinct. Such serifs belong to types 1 to 3 (old style typeface = renaissance antiqua, transitional typeface = baroque antiqua).
2 The serifs are fine hairlines, and there are wide differences in line thickness. Thick stems, fine crossbars. These serifs belong to type 4 - the neoclassical typeface or modern serif typeface.
3 There are virtually no differences in line thickness. Serifs are very distinct. Sometimes, they're even thicker than the stem itself. These serifs belong to type 5, the slab serif or serif-stressed linear-antiqua
More examples of serif fonts:
