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c
adverb
The third letter of the English alphabet, written in the Latin script and called 'cee.' Used to represent various sounds in English, most commonly the /k/ sound as in 'cat' or the /s/ sound as in 'city.'
Etymology
Origin: Latin
Root: Latin letter c (replacing Anglo-Saxon ᚳ)
Example
"The student practiced writing the letter 'c' until she could form perfect curves in her handwriting."
Usage Notes
As a letter, 'c' appears in formal writing instruction, typography, and linguistic contexts. In informal digital communication, it's often used as an abbreviation for 'see' (as in 'C u later'). The letter represents different sounds depending on context, which can confuse English learners. Register varies: formal in academic contexts, casual in texting abbreviations.