head feature convention; HFC
A principle in phrase structure grammar (such as HPSG) requiring that the head daughter's features be shared with the mother node. Used in formal syntax.
The Head Feature Convention ensures that the features of the head are inherited by the whole phrase in phrase structure grammar.
A calque from English 'head feature convention', composed of 主辞 (head), 素性 (feature), and 規約 (convention).