Sigmatic
/sɪɡˈmætɪk/noun
Relating to the Greek letter sigma or to a linguistic sound represented by sigma.
Did you know?In linguistics, sigmatism can mean defective pronunciation of the sibilant sound /s/, including a lisp; the term ultimately points back to sigma itself.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Semitic
Proto-Canaanite
𐤎
“An early alphabetic sign traditionally associated with a support or post; its exact development into sigma is debated.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
σίγμα (sîgma)
“The name of the Greek letter Σ, σ, representing the /s/ sound.”
Late Antiquity
Latin
sigma
“The Greek letter sigma, adopted into Latin scholarly usage.”
16th Century
English
sigma
“The name of the Greek letter, entering English through learned and mathematical writing.”
19th Century
English
sigmatic
“Formed from sigma with the suffix -ic; relating to sigma or its linguistic function.”