F (&ebreve;f). 1. F is the sixth letter of the English alphabet, and a nonvocal consonant. Its form and
sound are from the Latin. The Latin borrowed the form from the
Greek digamma &?;, which probably had the value
of English w consonant. The form and
value of Greek letter came from the
Phœnician, the ultimate source being probably Egyptian. Etymologically f
is most closely related to p, k, v, and b; as
in E. five, Gr. pe`nte; E. wolf, L. lupus, Gr.
ly`kos; E. fox, vixen ; fragile, break; fruit, brook, v. t.; E. bear, L. ferre. See Guide to Pronunciation, §§ 178, 179, 188, 198,
230.
2. (Mus.)
The name of the fourth
tone of the
model scale, or scale of C. F sharp (F ♯) is a tone intermediate between F and G.
F clef, the bass clef. See under Clef.
Hear it pronounced