comma etymology

Etymology

The word "comma" comes from the Ancient Greek word "κόμμα" (komma), which means "a cut" or "a notch." In classical Greek, the comma was a punctuation mark used to separate words.

Meaning

In modern English, a comma is a punctuation mark (,). It is used to:

• Separate items in a list
• Set off introductory elements, such as dependent clauses or participial phrases
• Create pauses in writing
• Prevent ambiguity in sentences

Origin

The comma as we know it today evolved from the comma used in ancient Greek writing. The comma was first introduced as a punctuation mark in the 3rd century BCE by the Alexandrian grammarian Aristophanes of Byzantium, who used it to separate words and indicate pauses in writing.

The comma was adopted into Latin writing in the 1st century BCE and became a standard punctuation mark by the 1st century CE. From Latin, the comma spread to other European languages, including English.

Over time, the comma has undergone several changes in its shape and meaning. In the Middle Ages, the comma was often used as a virgule (/), which was a short stroke or dash. In the 16th century, the comma began to take on its modern shape.

comma relate terms

• colon

  Etymology The word colon is derived from the Greek word kōlon meaning limb or s

• hatchet

  Etymology Old English hæccete Proto Germanic hakkiþō Indo European kekk to st

• period

  Etymology The word period comes from the Middle English word periode which itself

• Exodus

  Etymology The word Exodus is derived from the Greek exodos which means going out

• Oxford

  Etymology Oxford is derived from the Old English phrase Oxenaforda meaning ford o

• semicolon

  Etymology The word semicolon comes from two Latin words semi meaning half colon

• punctuation

  Etymology The word punctuation originates from the Latin verb pungere which means t

• butterfly

  Etymology The word butterfly is derived from the Old English word buttorfleoge whic

• conform

  Etymology From Old French conforme from Latin conformis of the same shape similar

• scarlet

  Etymology Middle English scarlet from Old French escarlate from Late Latin scarlatum

• default

  Etymology The word default comes from the French word défaut meaning lack faul

• diamond

  Etymology The word diamond comes from the Greek word adámas meaning unconquerable

• psychedelic

• conception

  Etymology The word conception derives from the Latin conceptio which means taking t