F (ĕf). 1. F is the sixth
letter of the English alphabet, and a nonvocal consonant. Its form
and sound are from the Latin. The Latin borrowed the form from the
Greek digamma ?, which probably had the value of English w
consonant. The form and value of Greek letter came from the
Phœnician, the ultimate source being probably Egyptian.
Etymologically f is most closely related to p,
k, v, and b; as in E. five, Gr.
pe`nte; E. wolf, L. lupus, Gr.
ly`kos; E. fox, vixen ; fragile,
break; fruit, brook, v. t.; E.
bear, L. ferre. See Guide to Pronunciation,
§§ 178, 179, 188, 198, 230.
2. (Mus.) The name of the fourth tone
of the model scale, or scale of C. F sharp (F ♯) is a tone
intermediate between F and G.
F clef, the bass clef. See under
Clef.