(James), an eminent French mathematician, born at Bolignieux in Bresse, in 1640, of a wealthy family. His father gave him a good education, and designed him for the church; but some mathematical books falling into his hands, inspired him with a love for that science; and though he had no master to instruct him, he made such progress in it, that, at 15 years of age, he wrote a piece in mathematics, which he thought proper to insert in the works he afterwards published. He at length taught that science at Lyons; and his mathematical lessons brought him in a considerable revenue, till the year 1701: at which period, a war breaking out on the succession to the crown of Spain, he lost almost all his scholars, and was reduced to a very melancholy situation; and his wife dying the same year, he was so afflicted, that he never perfectly recovered it. In 1702, he was admitted into the Royal Academy of Sciences; and died of an apoplexy, in 1717.—He was of a mild and serene temper, of singular generosity, and of a cheerful disposition.—He would not allow himself to know more of religion than the common people. He used to say, that "it was the business of the doctors of Sorbonne to dispute, of the Pope to decide, and of a mathematician to go to heaven in a perpendicular line." His works are very numerous, and have met with the approbation of the learned. The principal are, 1. Practical geometry, 12mo. 2. A mathematical dictionary. 3. A course of mathematics, 5 vols, 8vo. 4. Mathematical and philosophical recreations, the most complete edition of which is that of 1724, in 4 vols 8vo. 5. An easy method of surveying. 6. New elements of algebra, a work much commended by Mons. Leibnitz. 7. Theoretical and practical perspective, &c. P, or p, the 15th 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 psalmi, psychology, ptolemaic, ptifan, &c. When placed before h, they both together have the sound of f; as in philosophy, physic, &c.
As an abbreviation, P. stands for Publicus, Pondo, &c. P.A.DIG. for Patricia Dignitas; P.C. for Patres Conscripti; P.F. for Publii Filius; P.D. for Propositum, or Propositum publice; P.R. for Populus Romanus; P.R.S. for Pratoris sententia, P.R. S.P. for Praefi province.
In the Italian music, P. stands for piano, or "softly;" and P.P.P. for pianissimo, or "very softly."
Among astronomers, P.M. is used to denote post meridiem, or afternoon.
Among physicians, P. stands for pupil, or the eighth part of an handful, P.Æ. partes aquae, or equal parts of the ingredients; P.P. signifies pulvis patrum, or Jesuit's bark in powder; and ppr. preparatus, or prepared.
As a numeral, P signifies the same with G, viz. 400; and with a dash over it thus, Ġ, 400,000.