Re: [Groff] macro question

[Tadziu Hoffmann]

> I wonder whether anyone has a macro which will typeset the first
> word of a chapter so that the first letter of the first word is
> double the vertical spacing of the remainder of the word.
> (There has to be a name for this, can anyone enlighten me?)

Drop capitals. Try something like this:
(This is a more elaborate version that makes
the drop cap 3 lines high (need to play around
with the size for different fonts) and also
works in no-fill mode (useful for poetry etc.).)

.\"----------------------------------------------------------------
.de DC
.if n \fB\\$1\fP\c
.if t \{\
.ne 4v
.nr ># \\n(.u
.di >@
\v'2v'\s'\\n(.s*9u/2u'\\$1\s'0'\v'-2v'\h'.3m'\c
.ie \\n(># .dt 2v >|
.el .dt 3v >|
'in +\\n(.ku
.\}
..
.de >|
.di
.di >&
.in
.di
.in 0
.nf
.>@
.in
.if \\n(># .fi
.>&
..
.\"----------------------------------------------------------------
.ll 8c
.ps 10
.vs 12
.sp 3c
.DC T
he physics of massive stars has major highlights.
During their evolution from the main sequence to
the pre-supernova phase they dominate the
interstellar radiation field and the enrichment of
the interstellar medium with heavy elements.
They are progenitors of supernovae, sources of
cosmic rays, and provide nucleosynthesis tests.
.\"----------------------------------------------------------------

Best regards,
Tadziu