Definition: The (usually) horizontal stroke across the middle of uppercase A and H is a crossbar. The horizontal or sloping stroke enclosing the bottom of the eye of an e is also a crossbar. Although often used interchangeably, the crossbar differs from an arm and a cross stroke because each end connects to a stem or stroke and doesn't (usually) intersect/cross over the stem or stroke. The varying positioning, thickness, and slope of the bar is an identifying feature of many type designs.
Also Known As: bar, arm, cross stroke
Alternate Spellings: cross bar (two words)
Examples:
The cross bar connects the diagonal strokes of an uppercase A or the vertical stems of an H. In contrast, the cross stroke intersects the stem of a lowercase t or f while the arms of an uppercase F connect to the stem only at one end.


