Dictionary of Computer and Internet Terms: status line
status line
a line of information on the computer screen that indicates the current settings of the software and the current cursor position. The contents of a status line will vary depending on the software used; some programs give different information during the execution of different commands. It is a good idea to get into the habit of noticing what is in the status line. If you do not understand what you see there, take a moment to review the manual.
