Page:The record interpreter- a collection of abbreviations.djvu/12

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vi Preface.

way. The order thus is — the letter followed by a letter ; the letter followed by a sign ; the letter with a sign attached. For instance, in the vowels the order is as follows : —

e.g., E : ea, eb, ec, to ez ; then — e, e , e , e;[1] then — ē, ẽ

In the consonants, e.g., N : na to nz ; then — n, n, n , n ; then — n̄, ,

In the letter C, ꝯ, follows .

In the letter P, the order of contracted forms is p, , , , .

In the letter Q, : ꝗ, , qꝫ.

Superior letters — that is, letters printed above the line— are considered in the arrangement as if printed on the line in the ordinary way.

In manuscripts such letters often have contraction marks added to them, but it is impossible to represent these in type, and an apostrophe has had to do duty instead, as prinl', principalis. In a manuscript the l would be struck through.

According to the correct principles of writing, the mark of contraction in a word should be placed over a letter after which letters are omitted, or over a letter before and after which letters are omitted, as r, pater ; na, domina ; ft, fecit ; apllat,

  1. These marks of contraction, being separate types, are arranged before those which are attached to the letter, in order to keep such forms as ꝯfo, deb, g , mo , p, sol, su, t distinct from ꝯf, de,, m, , so, su, s,