virgule

Definition

A medieval punctuation mark similar to the slash ⟨/⟩ or pipe ⟨|⟩ and used as a scratch comma and caesura mark.

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French virgule, from Latin virgula (“twig; scratch comma”), from virga (“rod, branch”) + -ulus (diminutive suffix). Doublet of virgula.

Example Sentences

• "Other Chaucerian manuscripts had the virgule (or virgil or oblique: /) at the middle of lines."

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