catchline

[ kach-lahyn ]

noun

1. a word, phrase, or sentence used, especially in advertising or journalism, to arouse or call attention.
2. a line in which a catchword appears.
3. a line of lesser importance, set shorter or sometimes in smaller type than the lines line above and beneath it.
4. Theater. a line of comic dialogue expected to elicit laughter.
5. slug ¹( def 10a ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of catchline¹

First recorded in 1865–70; catch + line ¹