koppa

[ kop-uh ]

noun

1. a letter (, ) of some early Greek alphabets, occurring between pi and rho and equivalent to Latin Q: later superseded by kappa except for its use as a numeral for 90.

koppa

/ ˈkɒpə /

noun

1. a consonantal letter in the Greek alphabet pronounced like kappa (K) with the point of articulation further back in the throat. It became obsolete in classical (Attic) Greek orthography, but was passed on to the Romans who incorporated it into their alphabet as Q

Word History and Origins

Origin of koppa¹

1865–70; < Greek kóppa < Semitic; akin to Hebrew qōph koph

Word History and Origins

Origin of koppa¹

Greek, of Semitic origin

Example Sentences

Of horses he is passionately fond; but he begins to use the word koppa, as the Chinese do their words, in various meanings.

From Project Gutenberg

(b) Q represents the old Greek letter koppa and is a sharp guttural mute.

From Project Gutenberg

Koppa is probably a formation from "hoppa koppati," an imitation of the sound of the hoofs.

From Project Gutenberg

Race-horses of the best breed were marked with the old letter Koppa.

From Project Gutenberg