# comma

Pronunciation: US say "KAH-muh" /ˈkɑ.mə/; UK say "KOM-uh" /ˈkɒmə/; AUS say "KAW-muh" /ˈkɔmə/

## Noun

1. A punctuation mark (,) used to mark off parts of a sentence and to separate the elements of a list.
   - Simple: A punctuation mark (,) used to separate parts of a sentence or items in a list.
   - _Editors insert a comma to set off a clause that interrupts the main sentence._
   - _In a series of three or more items, a comma separates each one._
2. A diacritical mark resembling a comma, placed beneath a base letter, as in the Romanian letters ș and ț. *(dialectal, Romanian)*
   - Simple: A small mark shaped like a comma, placed under a letter in some languages to change its sound.
   - _Romanian places a comma beneath the s to write a distinct consonant._
   - _Typesetters must take care not to replace the comma below with a cedilla._
3. Any of various nymphalid butterflies of the genus Polygonia, marked by a white comma-shaped spot on the underwings and found across North Africa, Europe, and Asia.
   - Simple: A butterfly with ragged wing edges and a small white comma-shaped mark under its wings.
   - _The comma overwinters as an adult, hidden among fallen leaves until spring._
   - _Gardeners welcome the comma, whose caterpillars feed on nettles and hops._
4. A small difference between two nearly identical musical intervals that result from different methods of tuning.
   - Simple: A tiny difference in pitch between two notes that should sound almost the same.
   - _Equal temperament spreads the comma evenly so that every key sounds acceptable._
   - _Singers without a fixed instrument can adjust their pitch to avoid the comma altogether._
5. A delimiting mark used to separate items in a written genetic sequence, such as the two alleles of a genotype.
   - Simple: A mark used to separate items when writing out a genetic sequence.
   - _The notation uses a comma to divide the maternal and paternal alleles._
   - _Each variant in the summary is set off by a comma for clarity._
6. In Ancient Greek rhetoric, a short clause briefer than a colon, originally limited to no more than eight syllables and later extended to longer phrases.
   - Simple: In old Greek speech-making, a short clause shorter than a colon, usually under eight syllables.
   - _Each comma in the oration delivered one sharp idea before the next began._
   - _A teacher of rhetoric trained students to balance a comma against the longer colon that followed._
7. A brief interval in time, a short pause before something resumes.
   - Simple: A short pause or break between two moments in time.
   - _The applause faded for a comma, then swelled again._
   - _Her silence was just a comma in the conversation, not a full stop._

## Verb

8. To place a comma or commas within text, or to set off a portion of text with commas. *(rare)*
   - Simple: To add a comma or commas to a piece of writing.
   - _The editor commaed each clause to clarify the writer's meaning._
   - _Careful proofreaders comma a sentence only where a real pause belongs._

## Origin

From Latin comma, which came from Ancient Greek κόμμα (kómma), from κόπτω (kóptō, "I cut").

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/comma (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).