ε

Symbol

ε

1. (physics) Emittance.
2. (biology) Extinction coefficient. (Can we add an example for this sense?)
3. (mathematics) An arbitrarily small number, usually in the company of δ.

   For each ε > 0, there exists a δ > 0, ...

4. (computer science) The empty string.
5. (computer science) Machine epsilon.

Further reading

• ε on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• Epsilon number on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ɛ/, /e/

Letter

ε (e) (upper case Ε, lower case ε)

1. The 8th letter of the Arvanitic Albanian Greek-script alphabet.

Etymology

Derived from its majuscule counterpart Ε, from the Phoenician letter 𐤄 (h /⁠he⁠/).

Letter

ε • (e) (lowercase, uppercase Ε)

1. Lower case epsilon, the fifth letter of the ancient and modern Greek alphabets. Its name was εἶ, later ἒ ψιλόν, and presently έψιλον. It represents roughly the same sound in both alphabets: in Modern Greek, a somewhat lowered variant of the mid front unrounded vowel: /e/ or /e̞/. It is preceded by δ and followed in the archaic alphabet by ϝ and in the classical alphabet by ζ.

Etymology

Interjection from Ancient Greek αἴ (aí).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈe/

Interjection

ε • (e)

1. (colloquial) hey, oi (said to get someone's attention)

   Ε! Δήμητρα, σε σένα μιλάω!

   E! Dímitra, se séna miláo!

   Hey, Dimitra, I'm talking to you!

   Ε, εσύ, έλα ’δω μια στιγμή!

   E, esý, éla ’do mia stigmí!

   Hey, you, come over here for a minute!

2. eh, huh (used as a tag question, emphasising what goes before or to request that the listener express an opinion about what has been said)

   Δεν είδες την ταινία, ε;

   Den eídes tin tainía, e;

   You haven't seen the film, huh?

3. (colloquial) eh, huh, what, pardon (in isolation, request for repetition or clarification of what has just been said)

   Ε; Τι είπες;

   E; Ti eípes?

   Huh? What did you say?

4. I wish, if only (expressing a wish or hope)

   Ε και να ήταν εδώ αυτή, πόσο θα διασκεδάζαμε!

   E kai na ítan edó aftí, póso tha diaskedázame!

   Oh, if only she were here, what fun we'd have!

5. (colloquial) oh, just (to precede an offhand or annoyed remark)

   Ε, δεν γαμιέσαι, λέω ’γώ!

   E, den gamiésai, léo ’gó!

   Why don't you just fuck off!

6. (colloquial) oh (expression of wonder, amazement, or awe)

   Ε, ρε γλέντια!

   E, re gléntia!

   Oh, what fun!

7. (repeatedly and drawn out) um, er (implying hesitation)

   Ε... ε... δεν ξέρω τι να πω.

   E... e... den xéro ti na po.

   Er... um... I don't know what to say.

Letter

ε • (e) (lowercase, uppercase Ε)

1. Lower case epsilon, the fifth letter of the modern Greek alphabets. Its name is presently έψιλον. It represents, in Modern Greek, a somewhat lowered variant of the mid front unrounded vowel: /e/ or /e̞/. It is preceded by δ and followed by ζ.