What is "table of contents"

Content \Con"tent\ (k[o^]n"t[e^]nt or k[o^]n*t[e^]nt"; 277), n.; usually in pl., Contents.

1. That which is contained; the thing or things held by a receptacle or included within specified limits; as, the contents of a cask or bale or of a room; the contents of a book.

   I shall prove these writings . . . authentic, and the contents true, and worthy of a divine original.
   --Grew.

2. Power of containing; capacity; extent; size. [Obs.]

   Strong ship's, of great content.
   --Bacon.

3. (Geom.) Area or quantity of space or matter contained within certain limits; as, solid contents; superficial contents.

   The geometrical content, figure, and situation of all the lands of a kingdom.
   --Graunt.

   Table of contents, or Contents, a table or list of topics in a book, showing their order and the place where they may be found: a summary.

n. A list of titles of the parts of a book or document, organized in the order in which the parts appear.

n. a list of divisions (chapters or articles) and the pages on which they start [syn: contents]

A table of contents, usually headed simply "Contents" and abbreviated informally as TOC, The contents usually includes the titles or descriptions of the first-level headers, such as chapter titles in longer works, and often includes second-level or section titles (A-heads) within the chapters as well, and occasionally even third-level titles (subsections or B-heads). The depth of detail in tables of contents depends on the length of the work, with longer works having less. Formal reports (ten or more pages and being too long to put into a memo or letter) also have a table of contents. Within an English-language book, the table of contents usually appears after the title page, copyright notices, and, in technical journals, the abstract; and before any lists of tables or figures, the foreword, and the preface. Also, a table of contents is a part of a book or story usually in the back of the book that gives information on where to find what you are looking for.

Printed tables of contents indicate page numbers where each part starts, while digital ones offer links to go to each part. The format and location of the page numbers is a matter of style for the publisher. If the page numbers appear after the heading text, they might be preceded by characters called leaders, usually dots or periods, that run from the chapter or section titles on the opposite side of the page, or the page numbers might remain closer to the titles. In some cases, the page number appears before the text.

If a book or document contains chapters, articles, or stories by different authors, the author's name also usually appears in the table of contents.

In some cases, tables of contents contains a high quality description of the chapter's but usually first-level header's section content rather than subheadings.

Matter preceding the table of contents is generally not listed there. However, all pages except the outside cover are counted, and the table of contents is often numbered with a lowercase Roman numeral page number. Many popular word processors, such as Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, and StarWriter are capable of automatically generating a table of contents if the author of the text uses specific styles for chapter titles, headings, subheadings, etc.

There is one on this very page below.

Table of Contents is a sculpture designed by the American artist Dale Enochs. The sculpture is made from limestone and was commissioned by Joseph F. Miller. The sculpture is located across the street from the IUPUI campus, at the N.E. corner of W Michigan St and West St, and sits in front of the Miller Centre in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. Table of Contents displays four geometric shapes, which include a circle, triangle, crescent and square. These shapes sit atop a table with four legs, all pieces are carved from limestone. The shapes as well as the table are carved with curved lines which run up and down the sculpture, but some areas are left smooth. The square has "terrae" written on the side. Terrae means extended mass land.