Noun

Singular hypertext

Plural countable and uncountable; plural hypertexts

hypertext (countable and uncountable; plural hypertexts)

1. (uncountable) Digital text in which the reader may navigate related information through embedded hyperlinks.
   • 2009, Christian Vandendorpe, Phyllis Aronoff, and Howard Scott (Phyllis Aronoff, Howard Scott, transl.), From Papyrus to Hypertext: Toward the Universal Digital Library, University of Illinois Press, ISBN 0252076257, p 1:

     We do not read hypertext the same way we read a novel, and browsing the Web is a different experience from reading a book or newspaper.

   • 1999, Ray McAleese, Hypertext: Theory into Practice, Intellect Books, ISBN 9781871516289, p 2:

     Further, hypertext systems, because of their ease of construction, are very rich in text, graphics and visual illustrations.

2. (countable) A hypertext document.
   • 1969, S. Carmody, W. Gross, T. Nelson, D. Rice, and A. van Dam, “A Hypertext Editing System for the /360”, in Michael Faiman and Jurg Nievergelt, Pertinent Concepts in Computer Graphics: Proceedings, University of Illinois Press, p 296:

     A hypertext system, then, is a memex-like device for creating and manipulating hypertexts, both for on-line browsing, and for reducing selected portions of such texts to . . .

Synonyms

• non-linear text

Derived terms

• Hypertext Transfer Protocol, HTTP
• Hypertext Markup Language, HTML

Related terms

• hyperlink

Hypertext is text displayed on a computer or other electronic device with references (hyperlinks) to other text that the reader can immediately access, usually by a mouse click or keypress sequence. Apart from running text, hypertext may contain tables, images and other presentational devices. Hypertext is the underlying concept defining the structure of the World Wide Web, making it an easy-to-use and flexible format to share information over the Internet.

Types and uses of hypertext

Hypertext documents can either be static (prepared and stored in advance) or dynamic (continually changing in response to user input). Static hypertext can be used to cross-reference collections of data in documents, software applications, or books on CDs. A well-constructed system can also incorporate other user-interface conventions, such as menus and command lines. Hypertext can develop very complex and dynamic systems of linking and cross-referencing. The most famous implementation of hypertext is the World Wide Web , first deployed in 1992.

History