Headnote
UK: ˈhɛdnəʊt | US: ˈhɛdnoʊt
n. a brief summary or introductory note at the beginning of a legal case, article, or document, often highlighting key points.
The word "headnote" combines "head," derived from Old English hēafod (meaning "top" or "chief"), and "note," from Latin nota (meaning "mark" or "remark"). Historically, "head" has been used metaphorically to denote prominence or leadership (e.g., "head of state"), while "note" refers to a concise written record. In legal and academic contexts, a "headnote" serves as a succinct introduction or summary at the "head" (beginning) of a text, distilling essential information for the reader.
The judge reviewed the headnote before delving into the full case details.
Each chapter begins with a headnote summarizing its key arguments.
The editor added a headnote to clarify the article’s scope.
Law students often rely on headnotes to quickly grasp case precedents.
The headnote provided a useful overview of the court’s decision.