in fabulous history, a monstrous serpent, produced by the earth after Deucalion's deluge. Jove being exasperated at Latona, who was beloved by Jupiter, commanded this serpent to destroy her; but flying from the pursuit of the monster, she escaped to Delos, where she was delivered of Diana and Apollo; the latter of whom at length destroyed Python with his arrows, in memory of which victory the Pythian games were instituted. See APOLLO. Q, or q, the 16th letter and 12th consonant of our alphabet; but is not to be found either in the Greek, old Latin, or Saxon alphabets; and indeed some would entirely exclude it, pretending that k ought to be used wherever this occurs. However, as it is formed in the voice in a different manner, it is undoubtedly a distinct letter: for, in expressing this sound, the cheeks are contracted, and the lips, particularly the under one, are put into a canular form, for the passage of the breath.

The q is never founded alone, but in conjunction with u, as in quality, question, quite, quote, &c. and never ends any English word.

As a numeral, Q stands for 500; and with a dash over it, thus Q̄, for 500,000.

Used as an abbreviation q signifies quantity, or quantum. Thus, among physicians, q. pl. is quantum placet, i.e. "as much as you please" of a thing; and q.s. is quantum sufficit, i.e. "as much as is necessary." Q.E.D., among mathematicians, is quod erat demonstrandum, i.e. "which was to be demonstrated;" and Q.E.F. is quod erat faciendum, i.e. "which was to be done."

Q.D., among grammarians is quasi dictum, i.e. "as if it were said;" or, "as who should say." In the notes of the ancients, Q stands for Quintus, or Quintius; Q.B.V. for quod bone veritatis; Q.S.S. for que supra scripta sunt; Q.M. for Quintus Mutius, or quomodo; Quint. for Quintilis; and Quel. for quaelor.