How Do You Spell PILCROW?

Pronunciation: [pˈɪlkɹə͡ʊ] (IPA)

The word "Pilcrow" is an unusual word with a unique spelling. It refers to the paragraph symbol (¶) that is often seen in documents. The spelling of "Pilcrow" is derived from the Middle French word "pelcrou," which means "paragraph." The IPA phonetic transcription for "Pilcrow" is /ˈpɪlkroʊ/, with the emphasis on the first syllable. The word is pronounced as "PILL-crow," with a long "i" sound and a silent "w." The spelling of "Pilcrow" may be peculiar, but it adds to the richness and depth of the English language.

PILCROW Meaning and Definition

1. A pilcrow, also known as a paragraph mark or a blind P, is a typographic symbol that is used to indicate the start of a new paragraph or to mark off individual paragraphs or sections of text in a document. The word "pilcrow" originates from the Middle French term "pilque romane" which translates to "Roman P."

   The pilcrow is represented by a vertical line with a loop or a tail on the top, resembling the letter "P" in its lowercase form. This distinct typographic character is commonly encountered in various written materials such as books, magazines, legal documents, and even computer programs. In early manuscripts, the pilcrow was employed to assist readers in distinguishing separate thoughts or divisions within a text.

   Traditionally, the pilcrow's purpose was to aid in the reading and editing process, allowing individuals to easily navigate and identify different parts of a written work. In modern times, the pilcrow is often hidden by default in digital documents and word processing software, only visible when selected or highlighted.

   Furthermore, the pilcrow can serve as a formatting tool when editing or organizing written content. It is often inserted by pressing the "Enter" or "Return" key twice at the end of a paragraph. By using the pilcrow, writers and editors can visually structure their texts, enhance readability, and indicate the logical flow of ideas.

Common Misspellings for PILCROW

• pilceow
• pilcow
• Pilczow
• Pilcsow

Etymology of PILCROW

The word "pilcrow" originates from the Old French term "paragraphe", meaning "to mark out or to flourish". Over time, this term transformed into the Middle French word "paragraph", which referred to a punctuation mark used to indicate a new paragraph. In Middle English, it evolved into "pilcrow", which is essentially a combination of the words "pill" (representing a mark) and "crow" (related to crossing out or marking). The shape of the pilcrow symbol, resembling a backwards 'P' with an elongated stroke, developed in the medieval period as a decorative element to visually mark paragraphs in large handwritten texts. Today, the term "pilcrow" refers to both the symbol itself and the paragraph mark.