Æ

A diphthong in the Latin language; used also by the Saxon writers. It corresponds to the Gr. ai. The Anglo-Saxon short æ was generally replaced by a, the long ǣ by e or ee. In derivatives from Latin words with ae, it is mostly superseded by e. For most words found with this initial combination, the reader will therefore search under the letter E.

A diphthong, employed in the Latin language, and thence in the English language, as the representative of the Greek diphthong oi. In many words in common use, e alone stands instead of œ. Classicists prefer to write the diphthong oe separate in Latin words.

Not known; not apprehended.[R.]