Space left on stone, expressed in units other than characters or lines (e.g. pages, cm)

• TEI definition: space ; EpiDoc-specific customization: space

A space should be used wherever there is an intentional space left on the support: i.e. a space that never contained text (vacat). A unit attribute should record the units of measurement in whatever form the editor requires (common values include "metre", "cm"), and a quantity attribute should record the number of such units measured.

A type attribute may be used in order to indicate the reason for the empty space; possible values may include hole, damage, decoration, indent, etc. For instance, if a hole existed in the support prior to the addition of the text, this would best be represented with the value "hole;" however, this value would be less applicable if the hole was made after the the addition of text. Similarly, if intentional space was left to avoid existing damage on the support, a type attribute with value "damage" should be used, but not if the support was damaged after text was added; in the latter instance, if text was affected, gap should be used instead.

Panciera 1991 XI.2; Sosin 2011: (vac.4.2cm)