# Sometimes I'd like a heavier \dot [duplicate]

Sometimes I have a mathematical formula using, e.g., \dot{x} in a footnote but I have difficulties in recognizing the effective presence of a dotted variable (my fault, I know... to quote the poet "That's not the electric light, my friend\\That's your vision growing dim.").

Anyway, is it possible to use a heavier symbol for the dot that is usually used to indicate derivation w.r.t. time when used in a footnote?

• @sporc Yes... In my defense, it was not in the list of similar questions... but I haven't googled in advance. – gboffi Jul 13 '18 at 9:58
• I have to say that Steven's answer, below, is better than the answers to the original question. – gboffi Jul 13 '18 at 12:17

EDITED to apply italic correction to the dot placement.

\documentclass{arlticle}
\usepackage{stackengine}
\newcommand\nsdot[1]{%
\setbox0=\hbox{$#1$}%
\stackengine{1.2pt}{\copy0}{\kern.2\ht0\kern.3pt\normalsize .}{O}{c}{F}{F}{S}%
}
\newcommand\lgdot[1]{%
\setbox0=\hbox{$#1$}%
\stackengine{1.2pt}{\copy0}{\kern.2\ht0\kern.3pt\large .}{O}{c}{F}{F}{S}%
}
\begin{document}
\footnote{Here is the normal $\dot x$ and now
\nsdot{x} and here is
\lgdot{x}\\
Also, \nsdot{x}, \nsdot{k}, \nsdot{P}.}
\end{document}


• Absolutely useful. – gboffi Jul 13 '18 at 10:10
• ... and \nsddot is just {\kern.2\ht0\kern.3pt\normalsize ..} or there is a detail that I'm missing? – gboffi Jul 13 '18 at 10:14
• @gboffi yes, though you may need to alter the .3pt to a slightly smaller value to get proper horizontal centering. Also, if the space between the dots is not to your liking, you could add a positive or negative kern between the dots, as well. – Steven B. Segletes Jul 13 '18 at 11:13
• You may want to post your answer also in the question this is a duplicate of. In my opinion, it is better than the other answers. – gboffi Jul 13 '18 at 12:19
• The fact that this was closed as a duplicate will mean that, in that question, this one will be listed under "Linked" questions (see right margin). Thus, someone at that question can easily follow the trail to this one. But thanks for thinking of me. If you wanted, you could also post this link as a comment to the question. – Steven B. Segletes Jul 13 '18 at 12:22