TRIAL OF THE. See COINAGE. Q.

Q, the seventeenth letter and thirteenth consonant of our alphabet, but one not to be found either in the Greek, old Latin, or Saxon alphabets; and indeed some would entirely exclude it, seeing that k fully supplies its place. The q is never sounded alone, but in conjunction with u, as in quality, question, quite, quote, and the like, and never ends any English word. As a numeral, Q stands for 500; and with a dash over it, thus, Q, for 500,000. Used as an abbreviation, q signifies quantity or quantum. Thus, amongst physicians, q. pl. is quantum placet, as much as you please; and q. s. is quantum sufficit, as much as is necessary. Q. E. D. amongst mathematicians, is quod erat demonstrandum, which was to be demonstrated; and Q. E. F. is quod erat faciendum, which was to be done. Q. D. amongst grammarians is quasi dictum, 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 bene verat; Q. S. S. for quae supra scripta sunt; Q. M. for Quintus Mutius, or quo modo; Quint. for Quintilius; and Quaes. for quaestor. (See Abbreviations.) For the changes to which this letter is liable, see C and K.