| circumflex (ˆ) |
| Definition: The ˆ symbol. |
| Usage:
1. It is used as a diacritic mark in languages such as French. â, ê, î, ô, û 2. In English it is sometimes retained on loanwords from other languages. rôle |
| Etymology:
The word derives from the Latin circumflexus, bent about. According to the OED, the Latin term was coined as a loan translation of the Greek perispomenos, which literally means "drawn-around." Note: According to Herodian (circa 150 CE), the symbol was invented by Aristophanes of Byzantium. |
| Oxford English Dictionary: The word's first citation is from 1577: "The grave accent is marked by this caract ´, the light accent is noted thus `, and the circumflex, or indifferent is thus signified ˜" (Gascoigne Wks. (1587) Djb) |