How Do You Spell DIGAMMA?

Pronunciation: [dˈɪɡamə] (IPA)

The word "Digamma" is spelled with a combination of two Greek letters, delta and gamma, written as "ϝ". This letter was used in the ancient Greek alphabet, but is no longer used in modern Greek. Its pronunciation is often debated among scholars, but it is generally believed to have represented a "w" sound, similar to the English letter "w" or the German "v" sound. In the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), the digamma sound is transcribed as [w].

DIGAMMA Meaning and Definition

1. Digamma is a Greek letter, represented by the symbol Ϝ or ϝ, which functioned as an archaic form of the letter F in the Greek alphabet. It originated from the Phoenician letter "waw" and was used to denote the sound /w/.

   In terms of numerical representation, digamma had a value of six in the Greek numeral system. However, it gradually fell out of use in Greek words over time, eventually becoming obsolete altogether. The letter was still occasionally used as a numeral symbol in later Greek writings, particularly in accounting and bookkeeping.

   Digamma was also employed in various dialects of the Greek language. It commonly appeared in texts written in the Attic dialect, but it possessed different phonetic characteristics depending on the region. In some cases, it represented a voiced labiodental fricative, similar to the sound produced when pronouncing the English "v" or "f".

   Today, the digamma letter is primarily of interest to linguists and historians. Its significance lies in its role as an intermediary link between the Phoenician and Greek alphabets, showcasing the evolution and adaptation of writing systems over time. Although it is no longer in common usage, it remains an important symbol in the study of ancient Greek linguistics and script.

2. The name of a letter of the anc. Gr. alphabet, so called from its form, having very nearly the sound of the English letter F.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for DIGAMMA

• sigamma
• xigamma
• cigamma
• figamma
• rigamma
• eigamma
• dugamma
• djgamma
• dkgamma
• dogamma
• d9gamma
• d8gamma
• difamma
• divamma
• dibamma
• dihamma
• diyamma
• ditamma
• digzmma
• difgamma

Etymology of DIGAMMA

The word "Digamma" has its roots in the Greek language. It is derived from the Greek words "di" meaning "double" or "twice" and "gamma" which refers to the Greek letter gamma (Γ). The letter digamma (Ϝ or ϝ) originally represented the sound /w/ in the Ancient Greek alphabet before it fell out of use. The name "Digamma" therefore refers to the idea of "double gamma" or "twice gamma", highlighting its similarity to the letter gamma.

Plural form of DIGAMMA is DIGAMMAS