American author takes in quiet marginal note

• Marginal note

Wiktionary Word definitions in Wiktionary
n. A special sign established in 1961 for certifying foreign documents. vb. To authenticate an official document in accordance with the Apostille Convention.

The Collaborative International Dictionary Word definitions in The Collaborative International Dictionary
Apostil \A*pos"til\, Apostille \A*pos"tille\, n. [F. apostille. See Postil .] A marginal note on a letter or other paper; an annotation. --Motley.

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary Word definitions in Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
"note, especially on text of the Bible," also apostil , 1520s, from French apostille (15c.), probably from Medieval Latin postilla , which probably represents Latin post illa , literally "after those."