guideword

Noun

guideword (plural guidewords)

1. A word or phrase that serves as one's guide.
   • Naturalness is perhaps the best guideword to keep in mind.1947, Wilson Library Bulletin, page 528
   • Heidegger accompanies this meditation, however, with a second, more overtly "philosophical" or "thinking" reflection on the "guideword" Das Wesen der Sprache: -- die Sprache des Wesens ("The essence of language: -- the language of essence").1996, Christopher Fynsk, Language and relation: -- that there is language, page 41

   Synonyms:

   watchword, catchword, byword, maxim, mantra, motto

2. A word that is printed at the top or bottom of the page in a reference work, in order to help readers find a specific entry.
   • Secondly, the teacher-librarian must know how to use books herself to find information — title page, table of contents, index, guidewords, etc.1936, Wilson Bulletin for Librarians, page 18
3. (historical) A word under the right-hand side of the last line on a book page that repeats the first word from the following page.

   Synonyms:

   catchword

4. (uncommon) Any of the words in a memo or email that define metadata regarding the message, such as sender, recipient, and subject.
   • One purpose of a traditional memo or e-mail is to provide essential information quickly and easily, so there is no restriction, other than appearance or practicality, on the number or variety of guidewords you include.2001, The New Office Professional's Handbook, page 280