The digamma was a common feature of the Greek alphabet in the time of Homer (the blind poet, O ye childs of television). Since modern versions of Homer stem from Fourth Century BC versions, the digamma is seldom represented. This can provide the student of the Epics with frequent scansion headaches, resulting from unexplained macra and spurious diphthongs.

Di*gam"ma (?), n. [Gr. ; = twice + the letter . So called because it resembled two gammas placed one above the other.] Gr. Gram.

A letter (, ) of the Greek alphabet, which early fell into disuse.

⇒ This form identifies it with the Latin F, though in sound it is said to have been nearer V. It was pronounced, probably, much like the English W.

 

© Webster 1913.

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