1. A symbol ( ˘ ) placed over a vowel to show that it has a short sound, as the a in bat.
2. A curved mark used to indicate a short or unstressed syllable of verse.
3. Music. A note equivalent to two whole notes.

[Middle English, written communication, from Old French, from Medieval Latin, short syllable, from Latin, neuter of brevis, short. See brief.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.