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Etymology 1
Used pictographically as an image of a traditional square measuring cup.

Noun

 * : a traditional square measuring cup

Etymology 2
Used phonetically as shorthand for the masu polite verb ending, by homophony of and the suffix.

Suffix

 * : the polite verb ending

Usage notes
Popular shorthand in the Edo period. The use of this symbol for the verb suffix became less common during the 20th century. Now with the advent of IME software and texting on mobile phones, use of this symbol is increasing once again. It is now garnering increasing application in replacing ます elsewhere as well, such as in.