E

:For the mathematical constant e, see e (mathematical constant).

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The letter E is the fifth letter in the Latin alphabet.

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E is derived from the Greek letter epsilon which is much the same in appearance (Ε, ε) and function. The Semitic h? probably first represented a praying or calling human figure (hillul jubilation). In Semitic, the letter was pronounced /h/ (in foreign words also /e/), in Greek h? became Εψιλον (Epsilon) with the value /e/. Etruscans and Romans followed this usage. Due to the Great Vowel Shift, English usage is rather different, namely /i:/ in ME or BEE, whereas other words like BED are quite close to Latin or Continental European usage.

Greek letter: REDIRECT Greek alphabet...

Epsilon: Epsilon (upper case Ε, lower case ε) is the fifth letter of the Greek alphabet. In the system of Greek numerals it has a value of 5. "E psilon" ("simple e") was coined to distinguish the letter from αι, which by the medieval period was pronounced the same way....

Semitic: Semitic is an adjective referring to the peoples who have traditionally spoken Semitic languages or to things pertaining to them. Genetic analysis suggests that the Semitic peoples share a significant common ancestry, despite important differences and contributions from other groups. This genetic ...