excerptbut

Excerptbut is a term used in digital publishing and text processing to describe a short excerpt inserted within a larger document to illustrate a point or preview content. Typically, an excerptbut consists of a brief fragment—often a sentence or two—presented with minimal surrounding context. The aim is to convey a flavor or argument from the source without reproducing full passages.

Etymology and status: The word appears to be a modern neologism formed from excerpt and but, suggesting a teaser or counterpoint function. It has emerged primarily in niche discussions among writers, editors, and developers of content-curation tools, and it is not widely adopted as a formal publishing convention. As such, its definition and recommended usage can vary by community or project.

Usage and considerations: Excerptbuts are used to illustrate a point, provoke interest, or provide a quick reference to a source. They must be handled with care to avoid misrepresenting the original text, especially when context is essential for interpretation. Some guidelines recommend pairing an excerptbut with a brief note about the omitted context and, when possible, a full citation or link to the source. See also quotation, excerpt, and fair use practices.