Σ ς

A. shin <*>, Phoenician Ω, Syria 6.103), but eighteenth of the Ion. alphabet: as numeral ς/ = 200, but s' = 200,000: a semi-vowel, Arist. Po. 1456b28, cf. Pl. Tht. 203b.

A. the oldest forms expressing this sound were Μ (which is however the old eighteenth letter, q.v.), also Σ and ς; compared to a twisted curl, E. Fr. 382.7, Theodect. 6; to a Scythian bow, Agatho 4; after this, but yet early, it took the shape of a semicircle <*>, whence Aeschrio (Fr. 1) calls the new moon τὸ καλὸν οὐρανοῦ νέον σῖγμα: hence the orchestra is called τὸ τοῦ θεάτρου σῖγμα, Phot. AB 286: and Lat. writers used sigma of a semicircular couch, Mart. 10.48.6, etc.; cf. σιγμοειδής. The rare form <*> is used in the numbering of building-stones in Berl.Sitzb. 1888.1234, 1242 (Pergam.). From final ς must be disting uished the character ς = 6, v. v v (sixth letter).

B. the name σίγμα( σῖγμα) was usu. indeclinable, τοῦ σῖγμα Pl. l.c., Cra. 402e, 427a, Ath. 10.455c, Lyd. Mens. 1.21 (v.l. σίγματος); τῷ σῖγμα Gal. UP 2.14, al.; τῶν σῖγμα Pl.Com. 30; τὰ σίγμα τὰ ἐπὶ τῶν ἀσπίδων X. HG 4.4.10, cf. Hellad. ap. Phot. Bibl. p.532 B.; later declined, τοῦ σίγματος Eust. 1389.15; σίγμασιν Id. 905.7.

2. we also hear of another name σάν [α],τό, ta\ ou)no/mata/ sfi (sc. τοῖσι Πέρσῃσι)τελευτῶσι πάντα ἐς τὠυτὸ γράμμα, τὸ Δωριέες μὲν σὰν καλέουσι, Ἴωνες δὲ σίγμα Hdt. 1.139, cf. Pi. Dith.Oxy. 1604 Fr. 1 ii 3, Ath. 11.467a; as name of the fourth and tenth letters in Θρασύμαχος, and of the sixth in Διονύσο(υ), Epigr. ap. Ath. 10.454f, Achae. 33.4; cf. the compd. σαμ‐φόρας: σάν and σίγμα were evidently pronounced alike; it is conjectured that σάν is originally the name of the old eighteenth letter.