Digamma

:This article is about the Greek letter; for the mathematical function, see digamma function.

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Digamma, or Wau, (upper case {{polytonic|Ϝ}}, lower case {{polytonic|ϝ}}) is an obsolete letter of the Greek alphabet. In the system of Greek numerals it has a value of 6. When used as a numeral, digamma is written using the stigma ({{polytonic|Ϛ}}, {{polytonic|ϛ}}), a ligature of sigma and tau, or as the sequence στ or ΣΤ. When used as a letter, it has the shape of an F (hence its name, "double gamma") and the value of a /w/. Writing of digamma is preserved in many dialectal Greek inscriptions. In Ionic it had probably disappeared before Homer's epics were written down (7th century BC), but the former presence of a digamma can be detected in many cases because its omission left the meter defective. Famously, the homeric name of Troy, Ilion, shows traces of an initial digamma, *Wilion, corresponding to the Hittite name of the city, Wilusa. Also, the word for wine, {{polytonic|οἶνος}}, was used in the meter where a word starting with a consonant should have been placed. Further evidence coupled with cognate-analysis shows that {{polytonic|οἶνος}} should be {{polytonic|Ϝοῖνος}}.

Related Topics:
Greek alphabet - Greek numerals - Ligature - Sigma - Tau - Gamma - Ionic - Homer - 7th century BC - Meter - Troy - Hittite

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Letters that arose from Digamma include the Roman F. Digamma, like Y, derives from the Semitic letter vav, which also has the numerical value 6.

Related Topics:
F - Y - Vav

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