moon letter

noun

: an Arabic consonant to which the l of a preceding definite article al is not assimilated in pronunciation

called also lunar letter

opposed to sun letter

Word History

Etymology

translation of Arabic alhurūf alqamarīyah; from the fact that the l of the Arabic definite article al is not assimilated to the initial q of qamar moon, used as a type word

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Dictionary Entries Near moon letter

Cite this Entry

“Moon letter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moon%20letter. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

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