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+.. _glossary:
+
+Glossary
+========
+
+.. glossary::
+    :sorted:
+
+    stream handler
+        A callback function that accepts stanza objects pulled directly
+        from the XML stream. A stream handler is encapsulated in a
+        object that includes a :term:`Matcher` object, and which provides
+        additional semantics. For example, the ``Waiter`` handler wrapper
+        blocks thread execution until a matching stanza is received.
+
+    event handler
+        A callback function that responds to events raised by
+        ``XMLStream.event``. An event handler may be marked as
+        threaded, allowing it to execute outside of the main processing
+        loop.
+
+    stanza object
+        Informally may refer both to classes which extend ``ElementBase``
+        or ``StanzaBase``, and to objects of such classes.
+
+        A stanza object is a wrapper for an XML object which exposes ``dict``
+        like interfaces which may be assigned to, read from, or deleted.
+
+    stanza plugin
+        A :term:`stanza object` which has been registered as a potential child
+        of another stanza object. The plugin stanza may accessed through the
+        parent stanza using the plugin's ``plugin_attrib`` as an interface.
+
+    substanza
+        See :term:`stanza plugin`