Σ ς: Difference between revisions

|Definition=σίγμα or σῖγμα (both accents are found in codd.), τό, twentyfirst letter of the Etruscan abecedaria, ''IG''14.2420, and prob. of the oldest Gr. alphabets (corresponding to the twenty-first Hebrew letter<br><span class="bld">A</span> [[shin]] <&#42;>, Phoenician Ω, ''Syria'' 6.103), but eighteenth of the Ion. alphabet: as numeral [[σ]] = 200, but <b class="b3">σ'</b> = 200,000: a semi-vowel, Arist.''Po.''1456b28, cf. Pl.''Tht.''203b.<br><span class="bld">A</span> the oldest forms expressing this sound were Μ (which is however the old eighteenth letter, [[quod vide|q.v.]]), also Σ and ς; compared to a twisted curl, E.''Fr.''382.7, Theodect.6; to a Scythian bow, Agatho 4; after this, but yet early, it took the shape of a semicircle <&#42;>, whence Aeschrio (''Fr.''1) calls the new moon <b class="b3">τὸ καλὸν οὐρανοῦ νέον σῖγμα</b>: hence the orchestra is called <b class="b3">τὸ τοῦ θεάτρου σῖγμα</b>, Phot., ''AB'' 286: and Lat. writers used [[sigma]] of a [[semicircular couch]], Mart.10.48.6, etc.; cf. [[σιγμοειδής]]. The rare form <&#42;> is used in the numbering of building-stones in ''Berl.Sitzb.''1888.1234, 1242 (Pergam.). From final ς must be disting uished the character ς = 6, v. ϝ ϝ (sixth letter).<br><span class="bld">B</span> the name σίγμα (σῖγμα) was usually indeclinable, τοῦ σῖγμα Pl. [[l.c.]], ''Cra.''402e, 427a, Ath.10.455c, Lyd.''Mens.''1.21 ([[varia lectio|v.l.]] [[σίγματος]]); τῷ σῖγμα Gal.''UP''2.14, al.; τῶν σῖγμα Pl.Com.30; τὰ σίγμα τὰ ἐπὶ τῶν ἀσπίδων X.''HG''4.4.10, cf. Hellad. ap. Phot.''Bibl.''p.532 B.; later declined, τοῦ σίγματος Eust.1389.15; σίγμασιν Id.905.7.<br><span class="bld">2</span> we also hear of another name σάν [ᾰ], τό, τὰ οὐνόματά σφι (''[[sc.]]'' <b class="b3">τοῖσι Πέρσῃσι</b>) τελευτῶσι πάντα ἐς τὠυτὸ γράμμα, τὸ Δωριέες μὲν σὰν καλέουσι, Ἴωνες δὲ σίγμα [[Herodotus|Hdt.]]1.139, cf. Pi.''Dith.Oxy.''1604 ''Fr.'' 1 ii 3, Ath.11.467a; as name of the fourth and tenth letters in [[Θρασύμαχος]], and of the sixth in [[Διονύσο]] (υ), Epigr. ap. Ath.10.454f, Achae.33.4; cf. the compd. <b class="b3">σαμ-φόρας</b>: [[σάν]] and [[σίγμα]] were evidently pronounced alike; it is conjectured that [[σάν]] is originally the name of the old eighteenth letter.