LONG S Meaning and
Definition
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The "long s" is a character used in English typography during the medieval and early modern periods. It resembles a lowercase "f" without the crossbar and has a distinct elongated shape. The long s was commonly used in place of the modern lowercase "s" at the beginning or in the middle of a word, but was never used at the end of a word.
The long s is believed to have originated from the Old Roman cursive style of writing, which was prominent during the Roman Empire. It continued to be used in manuscripts and printed materials until the 18th century when its usage gradually declined.
This character was chosen for its ability to fit within the body of text more harmoniously due to its elongated form. However, it caused confusion when typesetters and readers mistook it for the letter "f," especially when the long s appeared adjacent to a short s. This led to a gradual shift towards the exclusive use of the short s in the English language.
Today, the long s is no longer used in modern English typography. It is primarily seen in historical texts or reproductions of older works. Its use is mainly restricted to academic or expert analysis of period materials, as its distinctive form may cause difficulties for unfamiliar readers.
Common Misspellings for LONG S
- kong s
- pong s
- oong s
- ling s
- lkng s
- llng s
- lpng s
- l0ng s
- l9ng s
- lobg s
- lomg s
- lojg s
- lohg s
- lonf s
- lonv s
- lonb s
- lonh s
- lony s
- lont s
- long a
Etymology of LONG S
The "long s" is a typographical variant of the lowercase letter "s" that was used in early modern and 18th-century English typography. The word "long s" itself refers to the character's shape, which was an elongated form of the letter "s". Its usage can be traced back to the medieval period, where it was known as the "medial s" or "round s".
The origin of the long s can be found in the Latin alphabets of the Renaissance period. The early Latin script used two forms of "s": a short form (similar to our modern "s") and a long form, which resembled a lowercase "f" but without the crossbar. As Latin was the written language of scholars at that time, the use of the long s extended to various European languages.
Over time, the long s became a distinct feature of English typography.
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