apostrophe
/əˈpɒs.tɹə.fi/
UK: /əˈpɒs.tɹə.fi/
ƏPⱰS · tɹə · fi (3 syllables)
English
Noun Top 44,147
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Definition
The text character ’, which serves as a punctuation mark in various languages and as a diacritical mark in certain rare contexts.
Etymology
From French apostrophe, or Latin apostrophus, from Ancient Greek ἀπόστροφος (apóstrophos, “accent of elision”), a noun use of an adjective from ἀποστρέφω (apostréphō, “I turn away”), from ἀπό (apó, “away from”) + στρέφω (stréphō, “to turn”).
Example Sentences
- "Since its inception the apostrophe has been a controversial piece of punctuation."
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