⁊

A stylized form of Latin et (“and”); part of the system of Tironian notes, shorthand popularly credited to Cicero’s scribe Marcus Tullius Tiro 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.

⁊ (upper case ⹒)

1. Tironian sign representing et (“and”)
   • 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version) (in English), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, 1 Timothy 1:17, column 2:

     Now vnto yͤ king eternal, immortall, inuiſible, the onely wiſe God, be honour and glory for euer ⁊ euer. Amen.

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 and, ond (“and”), but also for the prefix and-, ond-; thus andswaru (“answer”) could be written ⁊swaru.

• &
• ⹒ (capital)

• German: ⁊c., ꝛc.

• viz.

⁊

1. abbreviation of agus (“and”)

• ⁊rl.

⁊

1. scribal abbreviation of and (“and”)

In some cases, this symbol was used in the spelling of words beginning with and-. For example, andswerede (“answered”) might be written ⁊swerede.

⁊

1. scribal abbreviation of ocus (“and”)

⁊

1. abbreviation of agus (“and”)

• ⁊c.