aitch

Definition

The name of the Latin script letter H/h.

Etymology

From Middle English ache, borrowed from Old French ache, from Vulgar Latin *acca. The source is unclear, but may descend from the vowelless alphabetic sequence ha ka 'H, K' (becoming [aka] when the [h] ceased to be pronounced), as K had low frequency in Late Latin. Doublet of ecchi.

Example Sentences

• "The word hour is written with a silent aitch."
• "Cockneys drop their aitches."
• "The word length, which contains only four sounds l e ng th, is usually spell'd thus, el ee en gee tee aitch."