Truncation retrieves all variations of a root word in a single search, by using a special symbol to replace the word endings. This broadens the search. The truncation symbol is often a question mark ? or an asterisk *.

Keywords may have:

• different word endings but the same root
• singular and plural word forms
• spelling variations
• variations in tense

Take care to truncate keywords appropriately e.g. flow* will retrieve variations of the keywords flow, flows, flowed, and flower.