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List of English words that may be spelled with a ligature

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Summary

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This list of words that may be spelled with a ligature in English encompasses words which have letters that may, in modern usage, either be rendered as two distinct letters or as a single, combined letter. This includes AE being rendered as Æ and OE being rendered as Œ.

Until the early twentieth century, the œ and æ ligatures had been commonly used to indicate an etymological connection with Latin or Greek. Since then they have fallen out of fashion almost completely and are now only used occasionally. They are more commonly used for the names of historical people, to evoke archaism, or in literal quotations of historical sources. These ligatures are proper letters in some Scandinavian languages, and so are used to render names from those languages, and likewise names from Old English. Some American spellings replace ligatured vowels with a single letter; for example, gynæcology or gynaecology is spelled gynecology.

The fl and fi ligatures, among others, are still commonly used to render modern text in fine typography. Page-layout programs such as QuarkXPress and Adobe InDesign can be configured to automatically replace the individual characters with the appropriate ligatures. However this is a typographic feature and not part of the spelling.

Given names

Note: The variants Ædith, Cœline and Matthœo were a used (see citations), hypercorrected form of the names.

Non-ligature formLigature formOther forms
AlfredÆlfred
Ethel-
Aethel-
Oethel-Æthel-
Œthel-(prefix of various names, e.g. Æthelthryth)
AesopÆsop
CecilCæcil
CeciliaCæcilia
CaesarCæsar
CelineCæline, Cœline
CorneliusCornælius
EdithÆdith
EmiliaÆmilia
EmilianÆmilian
EthelŒthel, Æthel
Hephaestus
HephaestosHephæstus
HephæstosHephaistus, Hephestus, Hephaistos, Hephestos
LetitiaLætitiaLeticia, Letizia
MattheoMatthæo, Matthœo
EdipusŒdipusOedipus
PhoebePhœbePhoebë, Phœbë

ß in given names

The grapheme ß was originally made out of the characters long s (ſ) and z, the latter of which evolved into s. In Germany, the grapheme is still used today. Throughout history, various names have been spelled with ß. Many of the spelling variations are hypercorrected variants of other spellings of the name. Nowadays, most of the spelling variations and names are considered archaic or obsolete.

Non-ligated formLigated formOther formsGenderEtymology
AgnesAgneßAgnessefDerived from the Greek Ἁγνή Hagnḗ, meaning 'pure' or 'holy'.
AndreasAndreaßAndreiß, Dreiß, DreßmFrom the Greek word "andreios", "manly"
AnsgarAnßgarAnsgarius (Latinized)mFrom the Old Norse word "Ásgeirr", "god + spear"
BalthazarBalthaßarBalthasar, BaltazarmFrom Akkadian "𒂗𒈗𒋀", "Bel protects the king"
BartholomäusBartholomeißBarthelmeß, Bartholomæus, Bartholomeß, BerthelmeßmFrom the Apostle Bartholomew
KlausClaußClaiß, Clauß, Clawß, KlaßmA contraction of "Nicholas"
ElsbethElßbethElßgen, Elßlin, ElßefDerivative of "Elisabeth"
EndresEndreßEnderß, Endereß, EnndreßmDerivative of "Andreas"
ErasmusEraßmusEraßmuß, AßmusmDerived from Greek ἐράσμιος (erasmios) meaning "beloved"
FranzFranßFrancescomFrom Latin "Francius" meaning "Frank, Frenchman"
GillisGillißGilesfFrom Latin "Aegidius" meaning "a wearer of goatskin"
HansHanßHannßmA short form of "Johannes"
/Heinsaß/m(Unknown)
JarosławJaroslaußJarosławamComposed of the elements jar meaning 'strong' or 'powerful' and sława meaning 'glory' or 'fame'
JasperJaßper/mFrom Latin iaspis, from Ancient Greek ἴασπις (íaspis)
JohannesJohanneßJohannmA variant of the Greek name (Ιωάννης) and Classical Latin (Ioannes), itself derived from the Hebrew name Yehochanan, meaning "Yahweh is gracious"
JossJoß/m/fFrom the Old French name "Gosse", derived from "God"
MathisMathißMatheß, Matheiß, Mattheiß, MatthißmMeans “gift of Yahweh” (from Hebrew “mattath/מַתָּת” = gift + “yah/יָה” = referring to the Hebrew God).
NielsNielßNilsmDerived from the name Nicholas
NarzissNarziß/mFrom the Greek Νάρκισσος
NicolausNiclaußNicklaßmDerived from the Greek name Νικόλαος (Nikolaos), understood to mean "victory of the people", being a compound of νίκη nikē "victory" and λαός Laos "people".
OswaldOßwaldOßwaltmComposed of two Anglo-Saxon elements, Ōs meaning "god" and weald meaning "rule" or "power"
PaulPaulßPaulus, PaulußmFrom Latin meaning "Small" or "Humble"
TheussTheußSchultheß, Schulthieß, ThießmFrom Latin "Thelonius", meaning "Ruler of the people"
ThomasThomaß/mDerived from the Aramaic personal name תאומא /tɑʔwmɑʔ/, meaning "twin" and "leader."
ThonisThonniß/mDerivate of "Antonius"

Æ

Note that some words contain an ae which may not be written æ because the etymology is not from the Greek -αι- or Latin -ae- diphthongs. These include:

  • In instances of aer (starting or within a word) when it makes the sound IPA (air). Comes from the Latin āër, Greek ἀήρ.
  • When ae makes the diphthong (lay) or (eye).
  • When ae is found in a foreign phrase or loan word and it is unacceptable to use the ligature in that language. For example, when in a German loan word or phrase, if the a with an umlaut (ä) is written as ae, it is incorrect to write it with the ligature.
Normal formLigature formOther formsEtymology
acanthaesthesiaacanthæsthesiaacanthesthesiaFrom Ancient Greek ἄκανθα (ákantha, “thorn”) + αἴσθησις (aísthēsis, “sensation”)
AchaeanAchæanAchean, Achaian, AkhaianFrom Latin Achaeus or Achaius, from Ancient Greek Ἀχαιός (Akhaiós)
AchaemenidAchæmenidFrom Ancient Greek Ἀχαιμενίδης
adhesiveadhæsiveFrom Latin "adhaerere"
AeaeaÆæaEëäFrom Greek Αἰαία (Aiaíā)
aeciosporeæciosporeaeciosporeNeo-Latin aecium from Ancient Greek αἰκία (aikía, “injury, insult”) and Neo-Latin spora from Ancient Greek σπορά (sporá, “seed, a sowing”)
aecidiumæcidium(aecidium)Neo-Latin aecidium, from Greek αἰκία (aikia)
aeciumæcium(aecium)Neo-Latin aecidium, from Greek αἰκία (aikia)
aediculeædiculeedicule (AmE)From Latin aedicula (“small house”), diminutive of aedis (“a house”)
edificeædificeaedifice (archaic)From Latin aedificium (“building”), from aedificare (“to build”)
AegisÆgisEgis (archaic in AmE)Latin from Greek Αἰγίς (Aigis)
AegyptusÆgyptusEgyptus (Biblical)Latin from Greek Αἴγυπτος (Aígyptos)
emulateæmulateaemulate (obsolete)From Latin "aemulare"
enigmaænigmaaenigma (archaic)From Latin "aenigma" meaning riddle
AenonÆnonFrom Greek, Αἰνών
AeolianÆolianLatin Aeolis from Greek mythology Αἰολίς (Aiolis)
AeolisÆolisLatin Aeolis, from Greek Αἰολίς (Aiolis)
aeonæoneon (AmE)Late Latin aeon, from Greek αἰών (aion).
equalæqualFrom Latin "aequus, a, um" meaning equal
aerugiteærugite(aerugo)Latin aerugo, from aes
aerugoærugo(aerugite)Latin aerugo, from aes
aeschyniteæschyniteeschynite (AmE)Greek αἰσχύνω (aischuno)
aesculinæsculinesculin (AmE)
aesculetinæsculetinesculetin (AmE)
Aespaæspa
aestheticæstheticesthetic (AmE - uncommon)Greek αἰσθετικός (aisthetikos)
aestivalæstivalestival (AmE)Latin aestivus, from aestas
aestivationæstivationestivation (AmE)Latin aestivare, from aestivus, from aestas
eternityæternityaeternity (obsolete)From Latin aeternus (“without beginning or end”)
AetherÆtherether (AmE)Latin aether, from Greek αἰθήρ (aither)
aetherealæthereal or ætherialethereal (AmE), aetherial (BrE—rare)Greek αἰθέριος (aithérios, “of the upper air”)
AethrioscopeÆthrioscopeEthrioscopeGreek αἴθριον (aithrion)
aetiologyætiologyetiology (AmE)
algaealgæalgas (very rare)
AlphaeusAlphæus
ambilevousambilævousFrom Latin ambilævus (ambi- ("both") + lævus ("left")), a calque of Ancient Greek ἀμφαρίστερος (ampharisteros).
anaemiaanæmiaanemia (AmE)
anaesthesiaanæsthesiaanesthesia (AmE)
anapaestanapæstanapest (AmE)
antennaeantennæantennas
archaeologyarchæologyarcheology (AmE - uncommon)
archaebacteriaarchæbacteriaarchaea/archæ
AthenaeumAthenæumAtheneum (AmE)
auroraeauroræauroras
azotaemiaazotæmiaazotemia (AmE)
bacteraemiabacteræmiabacteremia (AmE)
CaedmonCædmonCadmon
caesiumcæsiumcesium (AmE)
ceremonycæremonycaeremony (obsolete)From Latin caerimonia
ChaldaeaChaldæaChaldea
chaetophorouschætophorouschetophorous
chamaeleonchamæleonchameleon
chimaerachimærachimera (AmE)
coaevalcoævalcoeval
curriculum vitaecurriculum vitæLatin meaning ‘course of life’, vitæ
cyclopaediacyclopædiacyclopedia
daedaldædaldedal
demondæmondaemonGreek: δαιμων (daimon)
diaeresisdiæresisdieresis (AmE)
EgyptÆgyptAegypt (Archaic)From the Latinised Ægyptus
encyclopaediaencyclopædiaencyclopedia (AmE)
EpaenetusEpænetus
equalæqualaequal (obsolete)from Latin "aequus"
equasionæquasionaequasion (obsolete)from Latin "aequare", "to make equal"
equatoræquatoraequator (obsolete)The name is derived from medieval Latin word aequator, in the phrase circulus aequator diei et noctis, meaning 'circle equalizing day and night', from the Latin word aequare meaning 'make equal'.
equilateralæquilateralaequilateral (obsolete)from Latin "aequus"
equinoxæquinoxaequinox (obsolete)from Latin "aequi + nocta"
equityæquityaequal (obsolete)from Latin "aequitas"
equivalentæquivalentaequivalent (obsolete)from late Latin aequivalent- ‘being of equal worth’
eraæraaera (BrE - archaic)Late Latin aera, probably from Latin æs (plural æra)
esteemæsteemaesteem (obsolete)Latin aestimare, "to guess"
estimationæstimationaestimation (obsolete)Latin aestimare, "to guess"
*et cetera**et cætera*et caetera, etc., &c.Latin phrase
eternal*æternal*aeternal (obsolete)
EthiopiaÆthiopiaAethiopia (archaic)
Eudaemoniceudæmoniceudemonic
faecesfæcesfeces (AmE)
fairyfæriefaerie (archaic)
formulaeformulæformulas
fraenumfrænumFrenum
GaeaGæaGaia
Graeco-RomanGræco-RomanGreco-Roman (AmE)
haemoglobinhæmoglobinhemoglobin (AmE)
haemolysishæmolysishemolysis (AmE)
haemophiliahæmophiliahemophilia (AmE)
haemorrhagehæmorrhagehemorrhage (AmE)
haemorrhoidhæmorrhoidhemorrhoid (AmE)
hyaenahyænahyena
HymenaeusHymenæus
hypaethralhypæthralhypethral
hyperbolaehyperbolæhyperbolas (AmE)
hypnopediahypnopædia
IdumaeaIdumæaIdumeaFrom "Edom" (Esau).
IrenaeusIrenæus
ischaemiaischæmiaischemia (AmE)
IturaeaIturæaIturea
Judaeo-Judæo-Judeo-
judaeophobejudæophobejudeophobe (AmE)
larvaelarvælarvas
leukaemialeukæmialeukemia (AmE)
medievalmediævalmediaeval (BrE)
nebulaenebulænebulasplural – Neo-Latin → Latin ("mist"); akin to Old High German nebul ("fog") → Greek nephelē, nephos ("cloud")
nymphaenymphænymphs
nymphaeanymphæa
orthopaedicorthopædicorthopedic (AmE)
paeanpæanpean (AmE)
paeonpæon
pedagoguepædagogue or pædagogpedagog (AmE), (paedagogue and paedagog exist but are both somewhat archaic)
pederastypæderastypaederasty
paediatricspædiatricspediatrics (AmE)
paediatricianpædiatricianpediatrician (AmE)
paediatristpædiatristpediatrist (AmE)
paedophilepædophilepedophile (AmE)
palaeobotanypalæobotanypaleobotany (AmE)
palaeocenepalæocenepaleocene (AmE)
palaeoclimatologypalæoclimatologypaleoclimatology (AmE)
palaeographypalæographypalaeography (AmE)
palaeolithicpalæolithicpaleolithic (AmE)
palaeographypalæographypaleography (AmE)
palaeontologypalæontologypaleontology (AmE)
palaeozoicpalæozoicpaleozoic (AmE)
PanacaeaPanacæaPanacea (AmE)
pandemoniumpandæmoniumpandaemonium
PangaeaPangæaPangea (AmE)
parabolaeparabolæparabolas (AmE)
personaepersonæpersonas
PlantaePlantæ
premiumpræmiumpraemium
pretoriumprætoriumpraetorium, also prœtoriumBoth forms with æ and œ seen, from Latin, praetōrium
primevalprimævalprimaeval (BrE - rare)
QuaestorQuæstor
RhaetiaRhætia
septicaemiasepticæmiasepticemia (AmE)
scarabaeidscarabæid
scarabaeoidscarabæoid
subpoenaesubpœnæ
supernovaesupernovæsupernovas
synaeresissynæresissyneresis (AmE)
synaesthesiasynæsthesiasynesthesia (AmE)
ThaddaeusThaddæusThaddeus
toxaemiatoxæmiatoxemia (AmE)
uraemiauræmiauremia (AmE)
vertebraevertebræ
viraemiaviræmiaviremia (AmE)
ZacchaeusZacchæusZaccheus
zoogloeaezoöglœæ

Œ

Common formLigature formOther formsEtymology
amenorrhoeaamenorrhœaamenorrhea (AmE)From Greek α (a) + μένόρροια (mēnorroia)
amoebaamœbaameba (AmE—uncommon)Neo-Latin amoeba, from Greek ἀμοιβή (amoibē)
apneaapnœaapnoea (BrE)Neo-Latin apnoea, from Greek απνοια (apnoia)
coelacanthcœlacanthFrom Greek κοῖλος (koîlos, “hollow”) + ἄκανθα (ákantha, “spine”)
coeliaccœliacceliac (AmE)Latin coeliacus, from Greek κοιλιακος (koiliakos)
coeptiscœptisOn the Great Seal of the United States, Annuit cœptis from Latin, coeptum.
Confoederatio HelveticaConfœderatio HelveticaLatin for "Helvetic Confederation". The Roman and now formal name for Switzerland. The abbreviation CH is derived from the initialization of this Latin phrase.
diarrhoeadiarrhœadiarrhea (AmE)Middle English diaria, from Late Latin diarrhoea, from Greek διάρροια (diarroia)
dyspneadyspnœadyspnoea
ecologyœcologyoecology (archaic)From Greek οἶκος (oikos, “house”) + -λογία (-logia, “study of”)
economicsœconomicsoeconomics (archaic)From Greek οἰκονομία (oikonomia, “management of a household”)
economyœconomyoeconomy (archaic)From Greek οἰκονομία (oikonomia, “management of a household”)
ecumenismœcumenismoecumenism, rarely ocumenism
esophagusœsophagusoesophagus (BrE)
estrogenœstrogenoestrogen (BrE)
estrusœstrusoestrus
federalfœderalfoederal (archaic)Latin foedus
fetidfœtidfoetid (BrE)Latin fētidus
fetorfœtorfoetor (BrE)Middle English fetoure, from Latin fētor
fetusfœtusfoetus (BrE)Middle English fetus, from Latin fētus
gonorrhoeagonorrhœagonorrhea (AmE)Greek γονόρροια (gonorrhoia)
homeomorphismhomœomorphismhomoeomorphism (BrE)From Greek ὅμοιος (homoios) + μορφος (morphos)
homeopathhomœopathhomoeopath (BrE)From Greek ὅμοιος (homoios) + πάθος (pathos)
homeostasishomœostasishomoeostasis (BrE)From Greek ὅμοιος (homoios) + στάσις (stasis)
homoeozoichomœozoichomeozoic (AmE)From Greek ὅμοιος (homoios) + ζωικός (zōikos)
hors d'oeuvrehors d'œuvreFrench hors d'œuvre
logorrhoealogorrhœalogorrhea (AmE)From Greek
maneuvermanœuvremanoeuvre (BrE)French manœuvre, from Old French maneuvre, from Medieval Latin manuopera, from Latin manū operārī
oedemaœdemaedema (AmE)
oeilladeœillade
oenologyœnologyenology (AmE)From Greek οίνος (oinos) + λόγος (logos)
oenomelœnomel
oenotheraœnothera
oesophagusœsophagusesophagus (AmE)
oestrusœstrusestrus (AmE)Greek οἶστρος (oistros) ‘gadfly or frenzy’
OethelwaldŒthelwaldŒthelwald of Deira
oeuvreœuvreFrench œuvre, from Old French uevre, from Latin opera
onomatopoeiaonomatopœiaonomatopeia (AmE—uncommon)Greek ὀνοματοποιία (onomatopoiía, “name-making”)
penologypœnology
phoenixphœnixphenix (AmE—uncommon)Greek φοῖνιξ (phoînix)
pretoriumprœtoriumprætorium or praetoriumBoth forms with œ and æ seen, from Latin, praetōrium.
subpoenasubpœnasubpena (AmE—uncommon)Latin sub poena (“under penalty”)
tragedytragœdytragoedy (obsolete)Greek τραγῳδία (tragōidía, “goat song” → “tragic drama”)
zoogloeazoöglœa-

Notes

  1. The variants that change '-æ' or '-ae' to '-s' are not variants in spelling, but the same meaning of the word with a different way of forming plurals.
  2. "caesium" (see article) is preferred by the IUPAC.

Also, ligatures may be used in personal names as well, i.e. Maecenus as Mæcenus etc.

References

References

  1. (1763). "An Ode on Saint Caecilia's Day, adapted to the antient British Musick: Viz. The Salt-Box, the Jews Harp, the Marrow-Bones and Cleavers, the Hum-Strum or Hurdy &c. With an introduction, giving some account of these truly British Instruments".
  2. (1851). "On the Truths Contained in Popular Superstitions: With an Account of Mesmerism".
  3. "Petra Vestvik, born 1909 - Ancestry®".
  4. (1881). "Legends of Lakeland. (Ballad-lyrics)".
  5. (1750). "Answers for George Forbes, and for Susan-Janet-Æmilia Forbes, Lawful Child of the Marriage Betwixt Him and Susanna Countess-dowager of Strathmore, to the Bill of Advocation Presented in Name of the Said Countess".
  6. (6 June 2022). "Hephaestus - Wiktionary".
  7. (1872). "Memoirs of MRS. Lætitia Boothby".
  8. ["File:Schreib-Calender auff das Jahr ... MDCXXXXVIII ... Auff ... Oesterreich, vnd die angräntzende Ländern. Durch Joan. Conradum Wechtler, etc. (Wienn in Oesterreich - gedruckt bey Matthæo Rickhes - Upper cover (c129m2).jpg - Wikimedia Commons"](https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Schreib-Calender_auff_das_Jahr_...MDCXXXXVIII...Auff..._Oesterreich,_vnd_die_angra%C2%A8ntzende_La%C2%A8ndern._Durch_Joan-Conradum_Wechtler,etc.(Wienn_in_Oesterreich-gedruckt_bey_Matth%C5%93o_Rick-Upper_cover(c129m2).jpg).
  9. (14 May 2022). "Matthaeo - Wiktionary".
  10. (1580). "Historien deß ... Hauses Est".
  11. (1970). "Wolfgang Andreas Heindl".
  12. (1746). "Wöchentliche historische Münz-Belustigung: Darinnen allerhand merckwürdige und rare Thaler, Ducaten, Schaustücken, andere sonderbahre Gold- und Silber-Münzen".
  13. "Die Hausbücher der Nürnberger Zwölfbrüderstiftungen".
  14. (1609). "Historia von Leben, Thaten, VND Sterben etzlicher außerwölten Lieben H. Gottes. Des H. Premonstratenser Ordens. Als Nemblich, 1 H. Norberti Ertzbischoff zu Magdeburg fundatoren ermeltes Ordens. 2 H. Friderici. 3 H. Hermanni Steinfeldensis gnant Joseph. 4 H. Godefridi Comitis Canonich zu Cappenb: Den einfeltigen Geistlichen Brüdern, VND Schwestern des Premonstratenser Ordens, zo Lieb, VND fruchtbarlichen nutz in Teutsche Reymen beschrieben, Im Closter Steinfeld desselbigen Ordens. Hir zo gesetzt VMB geleichung der Materien, das Leben, wandel, VND sterben zweyer H. Märtyrer Chrysanti, VND Dari[a]e Patronen der Collegiat Kirchen zu Münstereyffel auch in Reimweiß verfast".
  15. (1666). "Radii solis zeli seraphici cœli veritatis, pro immaculatæ conceptionis mysterio Virginis Mariæ, discurrentes per duodecim classes auctorum, vel duodecim Signa Zodiaci sicut Sol, perficientes circulum suum solarem juxta dies anni completi, per trecentos sexaginta sex radios".
  16. (1950). "Historischer Atlas von Bayern: Teil Altbayern. Heft 1-". Kommission für Bayerische Landesgeschichte.
  17. "Genealogie - Wandel in den Vornamen / Männer".
  18. "Namen : Augsburger Baumeisterbücher".
  19. "Genealogie - Wandel in den Vornamen / Männer".
  20. (27 November 1722). "Eraßmus Hinckel".
  21. "Franß Fastabend - Historische Aufzeichnungen Stammbäume - MyHeritage".
  22. "Aegidius (Vorname) – GenWiki".
  23. "Genealogie - Wandel in den Vornamen / Männer".
  24. "Genealogie - Wandel in den Vornamen / Männer".
  25. (1898). "Norbert Heermann's Rosenberg'sche Chronik".
  26. "Jaßper David - Historische Aufzeichnungen Stammbäume - MyHeritage".
  27. "Genealogie - Wandel in den Vornamen / Männer".
  28. "Fritz, Joß - Deutsche Biographie".
  29. "Genealogie - Wandel in den Vornamen / Männer".
  30. https://www.vorname.com/name{{Dead link. (December 2024)
  31. (4 January 2013). "Vorname Narziß » Beliebtheit, Bedeutung & mehr".
  32. "Genealogie - Wandel in den Vornamen / Männer".
  33. "Genealogie - Wandel in den Vornamen / Männer".
  34. "Größte christliche Liederdatenbank - 25.000+ Christliche Lieder (Kirchenlieder)".
  35. "Jungennamen mit Th".
  36. (1599). "NOVVM TESTAMENTVM D[omi]NI N[ost]ri IESV CHRISTI: Syriace Ebraice Graece Latine Germanice Bohemice Italice Hispanice Gallice Anglice Danice Polonice".
  37. "Thonniß - Nordic Names".
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