P, the 13th letter and 11th consonant of the alphabet; the sound of which is formed by expressing the breath somewhat more suddenly than in forming the sound of b; in other respects these two sounds are pretty much alike, and are often confounded one with another. When p stands before t or s, its sound is lost; as in the words psalms, psychology, ptolemaic, psion, &c. When placed before h, they both together have the sound fs as in philosophy, physe, &c.
P and B are so like each other, that Quintilian declares, that in the word obtinuit, his reason required him to put a b, but that his ears could hear nothing but a p, obtinuit: hence in ancient inscriptions, and old glossaries, it appears that these two letters have often been confounded. Several nations still pronounce one for the other, the Welch and Germans particularly, Vol. XV. Part II.
who say, psuum vinum, for bonum vinum. Plutarch observes, it was usual for those of Delphi to say psalus for psalus, psos for psos; and among the Latins, as often as an s followed, the b was changed into a p, as seribo, serissi.
As an abbreviation, P stands for Publius, Pondo, &c. PA. DIG. for Patria Dignitas; P. C. for Patres Conscripti; P. F. for Publii Filius; P. P. for Propositum, or Propositum publice; P. R. for Populus Romanus; P. R. S. for Pretoris sententia, P. R. S. P. for Prefect provincie.
P. M. among Astronomers, is frequently used for post meridiem, or "afternoon;" and sometimes for post mane, "after the morning, i. e. after midnight." P was also used among the ancients as a numeral letter, signifying the same with the G, viz. a hundred; according to the verse of Ugitio,
Fabulum
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Pack.
P similem cum G numerum monstratur habere.
Though Baronius thinks it rather flood for seven.
When a dash was added a-top of P, it stood for four thousand.
St Jerome observes on Daniel, that the Hebrews had no P; but that the ph served them instead thereof; adding that there is but one word in the whole Bible read with a P, viz. apadno. The Greek signified 80. On the French coins, P denotes those that were struck at Dijon.
In the Italian music, P stands for piano, or "softly;" and P. P. P. for pianissimo, or "very softly."
Among physicians, P stands for pugil, or the eighth part of an handful; P. Æ. partes æquales, or equal parts of the ingredients; P. P. signifies pulvis patrum, or Jesuit's bark in powder; and ppt. preparatus or prepared.