⁊

Etymology
A stylized form of ; part of the system of, shorthand popularly credited to Cicero’s scribe from first century BC. Compare to &, of same meaning and similar derivation. Despite the similar origin and same meaning the two symbols evolved separately from each other.

Symbol

 * 1) Tironian sign representing

Usage notes
Found in Old English and Old Irish manuscripts, among many other languages. Still used in Ireland, as of 2024; was used in other languages in blackletter text as late as 1821. Still used rarely by certain non-Irish educated writers (though perhaps seen as slightly eccentric and/or pedantic).

In Old English manuscripts, it stood not only for the conjunction, , but also for the prefix , ; thus could be written ⁊swaru.

Synonyms

 * (capital)
 * (capital)