ſ

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

[edit] Translingual

[edit] Letter

ſ

1. (archaic) The long, medial, or descending s, as distinct from the short or terminal s. The long s was used everywhere except the end of words, where the short s was used. In some languages, such as German, this held true for the component parts of compound words as well (thus Wachſtube for Wach + Stube, but Wachstube for Wachs + Tube).

Proper use of the long s is demonstrated by the words Bürger­ſaal and Rats­ſäle on a German sign, but incorrect use can be seen in the third word, ‘Traus­aal’.

[edit] Quotations

• Examples of use in English:
  • 1785, Vicesimus Knox, Liberal Education: Or, a Practical Treatise on the Methods of Acquiring Useful and Polite Learning, §XXXI: on the regulation of puerile diverſions, pp1 & 1–2 & 3

    Many fanciful methods have been invented by thoſe who wiſhed to render puerile ſports conducive to improvement. I never found that they were ſucceſsful.

    I muſt own myſelf an advocate for puerile liberty*, during the alloted hours of relaxation. Boys have much reſtraint and confinement in the time of ſtudy.

    Thoſe of the effeminate kind ſuperinduce effeminacy; weakneſs of mind, no leſs than imbecility of body. Something ſimilar happens in puerile diverſions. The boy who has been kept in leading-ſtrings too long, and reſtrained from hardy ſports by the fondneſs of his mother, will ſcarcely ever become a man; or poſseſs that becoming ſpirit which can enable him to aƈt his part with propriety.

  • 1796, John Hatsells, Precedents of Proceedings in the House of Commons: With Observations, p102

    75. On the 11^th of May, 1759, the Lords amend a turnpike road Bill, by inſerting a clauſe, “That no gate ſhall be ereƈted within a mile of Enſham Ferry”. The conſideration of this amendment is reſolved, nemine contradicente, to be put off for a month.