Glossary

AMD
The AMD (or asynchronous module definition) API specifies a way to define modules such that modules are asynchronously loaded.
Backface visibility
In CSS, when an element's backface-visibility property is set to visible, the element remains visible when its front is facing away from the screen.
Box model
In CSS, elements are represented as rectangular boxes. In this system, the box model describes the content of the space taken up by each element. Read a thorough description on MDN.
Box-sizing
In CSS, the box-sizing property alters the CSS box model when the width and height of elements are calculated. In the wild it is most often used to make element sizing behave more intuitively with respect to margins and padding.
Camel-case
Camel-case is a convention for writing variables where the first letter of each part of a compound word, with the exception of the variable's first letter, is capitalized. For example: weLikeCoffee.
Coefficient
A coefficient is a multiplying factor in a mathematical expression. It is a plain number that multiples a variable. E.g., in the expression 3x + 2y, the coefficients are 3 and 2.
CSS3 transformation matrix
CSS3 includes a transform property, which we can assign a matrix3d() function for styling. The CSS3 matrix3d() function takes 16 arguments, each of which represents an element in a 4x4 homogeneous matrix. More about the CSS3 transform function »
Damping
Damping is a type of restriction that prevents oscillations or bounce-backs. In the context of physics, damping reduces the countereffect of an applied force.
DOM
DOM stands for the Document-Object Model, the conventions for interacting with objects in HTML. More about the DOM on MDN »
Normal flow
Flow, normal flow, or normal document flow is the way a web page is presented when no structural layout styling has been applied to the elements. An element is said to be "out of flow" if it has been floated or absolutely positioned.
FPS
FPS stands for frames per second, the average number of animation frames rendered to the screen every second.
Object-oriented programming (OOP)
Object-oriented programming is a model for writing software in which objects interact to carry out the program's intent. Objects are structures that encompass data and behavior, often corresponding to things in the real world. More about OOP on Wikipedia »
Prototypal inheritance
In JavaScript, there are no true classes. Objects inherit from other objects via the prototype chain. More about prototypal inheritance on MDN »
Reflow
In browsers, reflow occurs when change to an element causes the need for the layout of child and ancestor elements to be recomputed. The browser must re-draw what you see on the screen to represent the new layout.
Repaint
The browser is said to repaint when changes are made to elements' visual properties that do not affect layout. When a change is made to the outline or background color of an element (for example), the browser must re-draw what you see on the screen.
Singleton
A singleton is an object of which there is only ever one instance. More about singletons on Wikipedia »
Vanishing point
When viewing a scene with perspective, the vanishing point is the point at which parallel lines appear to converge.