Words with O

History of the letter O

Its origins are traced back to the Phoenician alphabet, where the letter was called "ayin," symbolizing an eye. This concept was adopted into the Greek alphabet as "omicron" meaning "small o," distinguishing it from "omega," which meant "large o." The letter "O" has maintained its simple circular shape through its evolution from ancient to modern alphabetic systems. Phonetically, "O" is versatile, producing multiple sounds depending on its phonological context, including the long "o" as in "note," the short "o" as in "not," and even as part of diphthongs, blending with other vowels to create distinct sounds, as in "boat" or "out." Beyond its linguistic importance, "O" often carries significant symbolic and practical meanings. In mathematics, it represents the number zero, a fundamental concept in arithmetic and calculus. In visual language, its perfect circular shape symbolizes unity, wholeness, and infinity. The letter "O" can also denote approval or quality, evident in phrases like "grade A-O.K." These diverse applications underscore the profound significance of "O" beyond its role in phonetic systems, reflecting its integral presence in numerical, visual, and symbolic languages.

Words that start with O