Ausstriche

Ausstriche is a German term used primarily in editing, typography and archival contexts. It designates deletions or strike-outs in a text—portions that have been removed, corrected, or omitted. The word is formed from ausstreichen (to strike out, erase) and the plural Ausstriche refers to multiple such deletions.

In manuscript and editorial practice, Ausstriche appear as segments of text that are crossed out, struck through, or entirely omitted in the final version. They indicate changes made during revision, before a document is finalized. In archival and legal contexts, Ausstriche may mark redactions, omitted clauses, or corrections in historical records. In such documents, these markings help readers understand the evolution of a text and the decisions taken by editors or authors.

In modern typography and word processing, strikethrough formatting or revision-tracking serves a similar function, and the term Ausstriche may be used in German-language guidelines to describe such deletions. There is also a broader linguistic use: the verb ausstreichen can be used metaphorically, to “leave something out” in a plan or list.

See also: Durchstreichung, Löschung, Ausstreichung (alternative term), Revision.