What is serif definition?

A serif is a small line or stroke that is added to the end of the main stroke of a letter or symbol in typography. Serifs can vary in size and style, but they are typically found on fonts that are considered traditional or formal, such as Times New Roman or Garamond. The purpose of serifs is to aid the eye in following the flow of text, and to create a more cohesive and readable overall appearance. They may also add a sense of elegance or sophistication to a document. In contrast, sans-serif fonts do not have these small lines or strokes, and are often considered more modern and informal in appearance.