U • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of U

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noun

U n. The twenty-first letter of the English alphabet, is a cursive form of the letter V, with which it was formerly used interchangeably, both letters being then used both as vowels and consonants. U and V are now, however, differentiated, U being used only as a vowel or semivowel, and V only as a consonant. The true primary vowel sound of U, in Anglo-Saxon, was the sound which it still retains in most of the languages of Europe, that of long oo, as in tool, and short oo, as in wood, answering to the French ou in tour. Etymologically U is most closely related to o, y (vowel), w, and v; as in two, duet, dyad, twice; top, tuft; sop, sup; auspice, aviary. See V, also O and Y.

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Etymology of 'U'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"U" Quotes from Famous Books

... ole Mosser promise' me; But "his papers" didn't leave me free. A dose of pizen he'pped 'im along. May de Devil preach 'is f[u]ner'l song. ...

— Negro Folk Rhymes - Wise and Otherwise: With a Study • Thomas W. Talley

... giving at the same time the same sound to the vowel, u, as it obtains when occurring in ...

— The Confessions of Harry Lorrequer, Complete • Charles James Lever (1806-1872)

... this week. "M-u-g" and "m-i-l-k," have given her more trouble than other words. When she spells "milk," she points to the mug, and when she spells "mug," she makes the sign for pouring or drinking, which shows that she has confused ...

— Story of My Life • Helen Keller

... have nought to do with the murder—but u'd advise thee to bare his neck, and thrust in the point just ...

— Rattlin the Reefer • Edward Howard

... then suddenly exclaimed: "U, P, A, S! Why, it is the Upas tree; the deadly, mysterious, poisonous Upas tree! I found it in the jungle. I felt ill the night I camped beneath it. I have never felt quite well since. The nightmares began on that night; and the nightmares have followed me home. This is the worst of all. Helen calls ...

— The Upas Tree - A Christmas Story for all the Year • Florence L. Barclay

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