T (tē), the twentieth letter of the
English alphabet, is a nonvocal
consonant. With the letter h it forms the
digraph th, which has two
distinct sounds, as in thin,
then. See Guide to Pronunciation, §§262-264, and also §§153, 156, 169, 172,
176, 178-180.
The letter derives its name and form
from the Latin, the form of the Latin letter being further derived through the Greek from the Phœnician. The ultimate origin is probably Egyptian. It is etymologically most nearly related to d, s, th; as in
tug, duke; two, dual, L. duo; resin, L. resina, Gr. "rhti`nh,
tent, tense, a., tenuous, thin; nostril, thrill. See D, S.
T bandage (Surg.),
a bandage shaped like the letter T, and used principally for application to the groin, or
perineum. -- T cart, a kind of fashionable two seated wagon for pleasure driving. --
T iron. (a) A rod with a short crosspiece at the end, --
used as a hook. (b) Iron in bars, having a cross section formed like the letter T, -- used in
structures. -- T rail,
a kind of
rail for railroad tracks, having no flange at
the bottom so that a section resembles the letter T. -- T square, a ruler having a crosspiece or head at one end, for the purpose of making parallel lines; -- so called from its shape. It is laid on a drawing board and guided by the crosspiece, which is pressed against the straight edge of the board.
Sometimes the head is arranged to be set at different angles. -- To a T, exactly, perfectly; as, to suit
to a T. [Colloq.]
Hear it pronounced