E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
A.
This letter is modified from the Hebrew À (aleph = an ox), which was meant to indicate the outline of an ox’s head.
1
A among the Egyptians is denoted by the hieroglyphic which represents the ibis. Among the Greeks it was the symbol of a bad augury in the sacrifices.
2
A in logic is the symbol of a universal affirmative. A asserts, E denies. Thus, syllogisms in bArbArA contain three universal affirmative propositions.
