F, THE fourth consonant, and sixth letter of the alphabet. The letter F is borrowed from the digamma or double gamma of the Æolians, as is evident from the inscription on the pedestal of the Colossus at Delos; and was undoubtedly formed from the old Hebrew vau; and though this letter is not found in the modern Greek alphabet, yet it was in the ancient one, from whence the Latins received it and transmitted it to us.
It is formed by a strong expression of the breath, and joining at the same time the upper teeth and under lip. It has but one sort of sound, which has a great affinity with v and ph, the latter being written for it by us in all Greek words, as philosophy, &c. though the Italians write it filosofia.
The Romans for some time used an inverted F, Ǝ, instead of V consonant, which had no peculiar figure in their alphabet. Thus, in inscriptions we meet with TERMINAƎIT, DIƎI, &c. Lipsius and others say, that it was the emperor Claudius who introduced the use of the inverted digamma, or Ǝ: but it did not long subsist after his death; for Quintilian observes, that it was not used in his time.