Truncations are symbols that replace one or more characters, which lets you search for different variations of a term. The shortened term must have at least three characters for truncation to properly function. Truncations may be used in any area of the general search page, except when the Multilingual Dictionary is used. There, truncation is ignored.
Truncation may be used with the Linked Relevant Concepts assistant.
Truncation symbols may be used at the beginning, end and embedded within terms.
Unlimited truncation (+) cannot be used at the beginning of a term when searching the Concepts field or in the Patent assignee search.
Truncations within numeric (dates or numbers) fields are not recommended.
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+ |
Truncation replaces any number of characters |
bicycle-shed+
|
|
? |
Truncation
replaces zero or one character |
bicycle? |
|
# |
Truncation
replaces exactly one character |
polymeri#ation |