Tilde: meaning, definitions and examples
̃
tilde
[ˈtɪl.də ]
Definition
writing symbol
A tilde is a diacritical mark used in various languages to indicate a modification of a letter, such as the nasalization of a vowel in Spanish. It is represented by a small wavy line (˜) placed above a letter, most commonly the letter 'n' in the Spanish word 'señor'. Tildes can also have other functions in mathematics and logic, such as representing approximation. In computing, the tilde often denotes home directories or is used for various programming syntaxes.
Synonyms
accent mark, diacritic, tilde sign.
Examples of usage
- The Spanish word 'mañana' features a tilde over the 'n'.
- In URLs, a tilde is often used to indicate the home directory of a user.
- In logic, a tilde can denote negation.
- In mathematics, a tilde may indicate approximation, such as 'x ~ y'.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The term 'tilde' comes from the Latin word 'titulus', meaning 'inscription' or 'title', showing how it indicates something important.
- In Spanish, the tilde (ñ) changes the pronunciation of the letter 'n', transforming it into a unique sound, representing a rich linguistic history.
Cultural Significance
- In Brazilian Portuguese, the tilde is used in words like 'pão' (bread), signifying the nasal sound, which is a crucial part of the country's phonetics.
- The tilde is often seen in Hispanic cultures as part of letters in names and words, marking cultural identity and heritage.
Technology
- In computing, a tilde can represent the home directory in Unix and Linux systems, making it vital for navigating files.
- Some programming languages use the tilde as an operator, influencing how calculations are processed and how data is handled.
Linguistics
- The tilde signifies variation in pronunciation or stress in different languages, adding layers of meaning to words.
- Many languages use the tilde to denote nasalized vowels, which are sounds produced with air flowing through the nose, common in French and Portuguese.
Usage in Mathematics
- In mathematics, the tilde can signify approximation, indicating that a value is close but not exact, playing a critical role in equations.
- It is also used in set theory to denote equivalence relations between sets, showcasing its importance in higher mathematics.
Translations
Translations of the word "tilde" in other languages:
🇵🇹 til
🇮🇳 तिल्दे
🇩🇪 Tilde
🇮🇩 tilde
🇺🇦 тильда
🇵🇱 tylda
🇯🇵 ティルダ
🇫🇷 tilde
🇪🇸 tilde
🇹🇷 tilde
🇰🇷 틸드
🇸🇦 تيلدا
🇨🇿 tilde
🇸🇰 tilde
🇨🇳 波浪符
🇸🇮 tilde
🇮🇸 tilda
🇰🇿 тильда
🇬🇪 ტილდა
🇦🇿 tilde
🇲🇽 tilde