I. ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
Etymology: foot (I) + note
1. : a note of reference, explanation, or comment placed below the text on a printed page or underneath a table or chart — compare reference mark
2. : an utterance or action that is subordinated or added to a larger statement or event : commentary , afterthought
this novel is a footnote to recent history
it has been said that all philosophy is a footnote to Plato — Lionel Trilling
II. transitive verb
: to furnish with a footnote : annotate