M: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search
imported>IznoRepeat
m top: rename grid list to flex list
 
imported>Rodw
m Disambiguating links to MN (link changed to Mn (digraph)) using DisamAssist.
 
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|13th letter of the Latin alphabet}}
{{Short description|Thirteenth letter of the Latin alphabet}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}{{About|the letter of the Roman alphabet|the letter of the [[Cyrillic script]] (М, м)|Em (Cyrillic)|the letter of the [[Greek script]] (Μ, μ) |Mu (letter)|other uses}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}{{About|the letter of the Roman alphabet|the letter of the [[Cyrillic script]] (М, м)|Em (Cyrillic)|the letter of the [[Greek script]] (Μ, μ) |Mu (letter)|other uses}}
{{distinguish|ញ|ᛖ|₥|ℳ|ෆ|ʍ}}
{{distinguish|ញ|ᛖ|₥|ℳ|ෆ|ʍ}}
Line 6: Line 6:
{{More citations needed|date=March 2016}}
{{More citations needed|date=March 2016}}
{{Infobox grapheme
{{Infobox grapheme
|name=M
| name = M
|letter=M m
| letter = M m
|script=[[Latin script]]
| script = [[Latin script]]
|type=[[Alphabet]]
| type = [[Alphabet]]
|typedesc=ic and [[Logographic]]
| typedesc = ic and [[Logographic]]
|language=[[Latin language]]
| language = [[Latin language]]
|phonemes={{flex list|[{{IPAlink|m}}]|[{{IPAlink|ɱ}}]|[{{IPAlink|n}}]|[{{IPAlink|n̼}}]|{{IPAc-en|ɛ|m}}}}
| phonemes = {{flex list|[{{IPAlink|m}}]|[{{IPAlink|ɱ}}]|[{{IPAlink|n}}]|[{{IPAlink|n̼}}]|[{{IPAlink|∅}}]|{{IPAc-en|ɛ|m}}}}
|unicode=U+004D, U+006D
| unicode = U+004D, U+006D
|alphanumber=13
| alphanumber = 13
|number=1000
| number = 1000
|fam1=<hiero>N35</hiero>
| fam1 = <hiero>N35</hiero>
|fam2=[[File:Proto-semiticM-01.svg|class=skin-invert-image|20px|Maym]]
| fam2 = [[File:Proto-semiticM-01.svg|class=skin-invert-image|20px|Maym]]
|fam3=[[File:Phoenician_mem.svg|class=skin-invert-image|20px|Phoenician Mem]]
| fam3 = [[File:Phoenician_mem.svg|class=skin-invert-image|20px|Phoenician Mem]]
|fam4=[[File:PhoenicianM-01.svg|class=skin-invert-image|20px]]
| fam4 = [[File:PhoenicianM-01.svg|class=skin-invert-image|20px]]
|fam5=[[File:Greek_Mu_04.svg|class=skin-invert-image|20px|Early Greek My]]
| fam5 = [[File:Greek_Mu_04.svg|class=skin-invert-image|20px|Early Greek My]]
|fam6=[[μ|Μ μ]]
| fam6 = [[μ|Μ μ]]
|fam7=[[File:EtruscanM-01.svg|class=skin-invert-image|20px]]
| fam7 = [[File:EtruscanM-01.svg|class=skin-invert-image|20px]]
|fam8=[[𐌌]]
| fam8 = [[𐌌]]
|usageperiod= {{circa}} 700 BCE to present
| usageperiod = {{circa}} 700 BCE to present
|children={{flex list|[[₥]]|{{not a typo|[[™]]|[[℠]]}}|[[ᴟ]]|[[ꬺ]]|[[ꟽ]] [[ɯ]] [[ɰ]]|[[ꟿ]]|[[ᛗ]]}}
| children = {{flex list|[[₥]]|{{not a typo|[[™]]|[[℠]]}}|[[ᴟ]]|[[ꬺ]]|[[ꟽ]]|[[ɯ]]|[[ɰ]]|[[ꟿ]]|[[ᛗ]]}}
|sisters={{flex list|[[М]]|[[Ӎ]]|[[Mem|מ]]|[[Mem|ם]]|[[Mem|م]]|[[Mem|ܡ]]|[[מּ]]|[[ﬦ]]|[[File:Mem.svg|class=skin-invert-image|10px|Aramaic Mem]]|[[Ⰿ]]|[[ࠌ]]|[[𐌼]]}}
| sisters = {{flex list|[[М]]|[[Ӎ]]|[[Mem|מ]]|[[Mem|ם]]|[[Mem|م]]|[[Mem|ܡ]]|[[מּ]]|[[ﬦ]]|[[File:Mem.svg|class=skin-invert-image|10px|Aramaic Mem]]|[[Ⰿ]]|[[ࠌ]]|[[𐌼]]}}
|equivalents=
| equivalents =  
|associates=[[List of Latin-script digraphs#M|m(x)]]
| associates = [[List of Latin-script digraphs#M|m(x)]]
|direction=Left-to-right
| direction = Left-to-right
|image=File:Latin_letter_M.svg
| image = File:Latin_letter_M.svg
|imageclass=skin-invert-image
| imageclass = skin-invert-image
}}
}}
{{Latin letter info|m}}
{{Latin letter info|m}}
Line 88: Line 88:


The [[Oxford English Dictionary]] (first edition) says that {{angbr|m}} is sometimes a [[vowel]], such as in words like ''spasm'' and in the [[suffix]] ''-ism''. In modern terminology, this is described as a [[syllabic consonant]] (IPA: {{IPA|/m̩/}}).
The [[Oxford English Dictionary]] (first edition) says that {{angbr|m}} is sometimes a [[vowel]], such as in words like ''spasm'' and in the [[suffix]] ''-ism''. In modern terminology, this is described as a [[syllabic consonant]] (IPA: {{IPA|/m̩/}}).
The digraph, "[[Mn (digraph)|mn]]," when used in the beginning of words, such as [[mnemonic]], is pronounced as /n/. This digraph is the only instance where the letter {{angbr|m}} is silent.


M is the [[Letter frequency|fourteenth most frequently used letter]] in the English language.
M is the [[Letter frequency|fourteenth most frequently used letter]] in the English language.
Line 104: Line 106:
* The [[Roman numeral]] M represents the number [[1000 (number)|1000]], though it was not used in [[Ancient Rome|Roman times]]. There is, however, scant evidence that the letter was later introduced in the early centuries A.D. by the Romans.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/illustratedintro0000gord | url-access=registration | quote=roman numerals. | title=Illustrated Introduction to Latin Epigraphy | publisher=[[University of California Press]] | date=1983 | access-date=3 October 2015 | author=Gordon, Arthur E. | pages=[https://archive.org/details/illustratedintro0000gord/page/45 45]| isbn=9780520038981 }}</ref>
* The [[Roman numeral]] M represents the number [[1000 (number)|1000]], though it was not used in [[Ancient Rome|Roman times]]. There is, however, scant evidence that the letter was later introduced in the early centuries A.D. by the Romans.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/illustratedintro0000gord | url-access=registration | quote=roman numerals. | title=Illustrated Introduction to Latin Epigraphy | publisher=[[University of California Press]] | date=1983 | access-date=3 October 2015 | author=Gordon, Arthur E. | pages=[https://archive.org/details/illustratedintro0000gord/page/45 45]| isbn=9780520038981 }}</ref>
* [[Unit prefix]] M (mega), meaning one million times, and m (milli) meaning one-thousandth.<ref name="freedict">{{cite web |url=https://acronyms.thefreedictionary.com/m |title=What does M stand for? |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |website=The Free Dictionary |publisher= |access-date=9 February 2021 |quote= |archive-date=25 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125054852/https://acronyms.thefreedictionary.com/M |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="collins">{{cite web |url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/m_1 |title=M definition and meaning |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |website=Collins English Dictionary |publisher= |access-date=9 February 2021 |quote= |archive-date=27 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227212738/https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/m_1 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Unit prefix]] M (mega), meaning one million times, and m (milli) meaning one-thousandth.<ref name="freedict">{{cite web |url=https://acronyms.thefreedictionary.com/m |title=What does M stand for? |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |website=The Free Dictionary |publisher= |access-date=9 February 2021 |quote= |archive-date=25 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125054852/https://acronyms.thefreedictionary.com/M |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="collins">{{cite web |url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/m_1 |title=M definition and meaning |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |website=Collins English Dictionary |publisher= |access-date=9 February 2021 |quote= |archive-date=27 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227212738/https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/m_1 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* m is the standard abbreviation for [[metre]] (or meter) in the [[International System of Units]] (SI).<ref name="freedict"/> However, m is also used as an abbreviation for [[mile]].<ref name="collins"/>
* m is the standard abbreviation for [[metre]] (or meter) in the [[International System of Units]] (SI).<ref name="freedict"/> However, m is sometimes also used as an abbreviation for [[mile]].<ref name="collins"/>
* M is used as the unit abbreviation for [[molar concentration|molarity]].<ref name="freedict" />
* M is used as the unit abbreviation for [[molar concentration|molarity]].<ref name="freedict" />
* With money amounts, m or M is ambiguous. In the finance industry,<ref>{{cite web |title=MM (Millions) |url=https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/fixed-income/mm-millions/ |website=corporatefinanceinstitute.com |publisher=corporate finance institute. |access-date=5 August 2024 |archive-date=August 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240805214551/https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/fixed-income/mm-millions/ |url-status=live }}</ref> m or M means 1,000. In this context, five million dollars is written $5mm or $5MM. Outside of finance, some people use M like the metric system "[[mega-]]" to mean one million and write $5M.<ref name="freedict"/><ref name="collins"/>
* With money amounts, m or M is ambiguous. In the finance industry,<ref>{{cite web |title=MM (Millions) |url=https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/fixed-income/mm-millions/ |website=corporatefinanceinstitute.com |publisher=corporate finance institute. |access-date=5 August 2024 |archive-date=August 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240805214551/https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/fixed-income/mm-millions/ |url-status=live }}</ref> m or M means 1,000. In this context, five million dollars is written $5mm or $5MM. Outside of finance, some people use M like the metric system "[[mega-]]" to mean one million and write $5M.<ref name="freedict"/><ref name="collins"/>
* M often represents male or masculine, especially in conjunction with F for female or feminine.<ref name="freedict"/><ref name="collins"/>
* M often represents male or masculine, especially in conjunction with F for female or feminine.<ref name="freedict"/><ref name="collins"/>
* In typography, an [[em dash]] is a punctuation symbol whose width is similar to that of a capital letter M.
* In typography, an [[em dash]] is a punctuation symbol whose width is similar to that of a capital letter M.
Line 151: Line 153:
==Other representations==
==Other representations==
===Computing <span class="anchor" id="Computing codes"></span>===
===Computing <span class="anchor" id="Computing codes"></span>===
{{charmap
* {{unichar | 004D }}
| 004D | 006D | FF2D | FF4D | name1 = Latin Capital Letter M | name2 = Latin Small Letter M | name3 = FULLWIDTH LATIN CAPITAL LETTER M | name4 = FULLWIDTH LATIN SMALL LETTER M
* {{unichar | 006D }}
| map1 = [[EBCDIC]] family | map1char1 = D4 | map1char2 = 94
* {{unichar | FF2D |nlink=Half-width and full-width forms}}
| map2 = [[ASCII]]{{efn|Also for encodings based on ASCII, including the DOS, Windows, ISO-8859 and Macintosh families of encodings.}} | map2char1 = 4D | map2char2 = 6D
* {{unichar | FF4D }}
}}


===Other===
===Other===
Line 174: Line 175:


==External links==
==External links==
*{{Commons-inline|M}}
*{{Commons-inline}}
*{{Wiktionary-inline|M}}
*{{Wiktionary-inline|M}}
*{{Wiktionary-inline|m}}
*{{Wiktionary-inline|m}}

Latest revision as of 11:04, 12 November 2025

Template:Short description Template:Use mdy datesScript error: No such module "about". Script error: No such module "Distinguish". Template:Pp-semi Template:Pp-move Template:More citations needed Template:Infobox grapheme Template:Latin letter info

M, or m, is the thirteenth letter of the Latin alphabet, used in the modern English alphabet, the alphabets of several western European languages and others worldwide. Its name in English is em (pronounced Template:IPAc-en), plural ems.[1]

History

Egyptian hieroglyph
"n"
Phoenician
Mem
Western Greek
Mu
Etruscan
M
Latin
M
<hiero>n</hiero> File:PhoenicianM-01.svg File:Greek Mu 04.svg File:EtruscanM-01.svg Latin M

The letter M is derived from the Phoenician Mem via the Greek Mu (Μ, μ). Semitic Mem is most likely derived from a "Proto-Sinaitic" (Bronze Age) adoption of the "water" ideogram in Egyptian writing. The Egyptian sign had the acrophonic value Script error: No such module "IPA"., from the Egyptian word for "water", nt; the adoption as the Semitic letter for Script error: No such module "IPA". was presumably also on acrophonic grounds, from the Semitic word for "water", *mā(y)-.[2]

Use in writing systems

Pronunciation of Template:Angbr by language
Orthography Phonemes
Template:Nwr (Pinyin) Template:IPAslink
English Template:IPAslink, silent
French Template:IPAslink
German Template:IPAslink
Portuguese Template:IPAslink, silent
Spanish Template:IPAslink
Turkish Template:IPAslink

English

In English, Template:Angbr represents the voiced bilabial nasal Script error: No such module "IPA"..

The Oxford English Dictionary (first edition) says that Template:Angbr is sometimes a vowel, such as in words like spasm and in the suffix -ism. In modern terminology, this is described as a syllabic consonant (IPA: Script error: No such module "IPA".).

The digraph, "mn," when used in the beginning of words, such as mnemonic, is pronounced as /n/. This digraph is the only instance where the letter Template:Angbr is silent.

M is the fourteenth most frequently used letter in the English language.

Other languages

The letter Template:Angbr represents the voiced bilabial nasal Script error: No such module "IPA". in the orthography of Latin as well as in those of many modern languages.

In Washo, lower-case Template:Angbr represents a voiced bilabial nasal Script error: No such module "IPA"., while upper-case Template:Angbr represents a voiceless bilabial nasal Script error: No such module "IPA"..

Other systems

In the International Phonetic Alphabet, Template:Angbr represents the voiced bilabial nasal Script error: No such module "IPA"..

Other uses

Template:Main article

File:Miehikkala.vaakuna.svg
Styled letter M in the coat of arms of Miehikkälä
  • The Roman numeral M represents the number 1000, though it was not used in Roman times. There is, however, scant evidence that the letter was later introduced in the early centuries A.D. by the Romans.[3]
  • Unit prefix M (mega), meaning one million times, and m (milli) meaning one-thousandth.[4][5]
  • m is the standard abbreviation for metre (or meter) in the International System of Units (SI).[4] However, m is sometimes also used as an abbreviation for mile.[5]
  • M is used as the unit abbreviation for molarity.[4]
  • With money amounts, m or M is ambiguous. In the finance industry,[6] m or M means 1,000. In this context, five million dollars is written $5mm or $5MM. Outside of finance, some people use M like the metric system "mega-" to mean one million and write $5M.[4][5]
  • M often represents male or masculine, especially in conjunction with F for female or feminine.[4][5]
  • In typography, an em dash is a punctuation symbol whose width is similar to that of a capital letter M.
  • M is used as a logo by many rapid transit systems, standing for "Metro" (or equivalents in other languages.)

Related characters

Descendants and related characters in the Latin alphabet

Ancestors and siblings in other alphabets

Ligatures and abbreviations

Other representations

Computing

Other

Template:Letter other reps

Notes

Template:Notelist

References

Template:Reflist

External links

Template:Latin alphabet

  1. "M" Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd edition (1989); Merriam-Webster's Third New International Dictionary of the English Language, Unabridged (1993); "em," op. cit.
  2. See F. Simons, "Proto-Sinaitic — Progenitor of the Alphabet" Rosetta 9 (2011): Figure Two: "Representative selection of proto-Sinaitic characters with comparison to Egyptian hieroglyphs", (p. 38) Figure Three: "Chart of all early proto-Canaanite letters with comparison to proto-Sinaitic signs" (p. 39), Figure Four: "Representative selection of later proto-Canaanite letters with comparison to early proto-Canaanite and proto-Sinaitic signs" (p. 40). See also: Goldwasser (2010), following Albright (1966), "Schematic Table of Proto-Sinaitic Characters" (fig. 1 Template:Webarchive).
  3. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. a b c d e Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. a b c d Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".