moon letter

American

noun

Arabic Grammar.

any letter, as bā or mīm, representing a consonant that does not assimilate the l of a prefixed definite article.

Etymology

Origin of moon letter

Translation of Arabic al-ḥuruf al-qamorīyah, so called from the use of al-qamar (the moon) to illustrate nonassimilation of l in al the

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The "red moon" letter seemed to have caught her on the wing—at her highest and happiest—for she answered it in fine faith and lightness.

From She Buildeth Her House by Comfort, William Wistar

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023