siglum
/ˈsɪɡləm/
noun
- A letter, symbol, or abbreviation used to represent a word or name, especially in ancient manuscripts or reference works.
- The manuscript used a siglum like a cross to stand for the word 'Christ'.
- In the dictionary, the siglum 'obs.' means the word is obsolete.
- Scholars often create a list of sigla to decode old texts.
Synonyms