GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found one definition

1.       
   B (bē) is the second letter of the English alphabet. (See Guide to Pronunciation, §§ 196, 220.) It is etymologically related to p, v, f, w, and m, letters representing sounds having a close organic affinity to its own sound; as in Eng. bursar and purser; Eng. bear and Lat. ferre; Eng. silver and Ger. silber; Lat. cubitum and It. gomito; Eng. seven, Anglo-Saxon seofon, Ger. sieben, Lat. septem, Gr.ἑπτά, Sanskrit saptan.  The form of letter B is Roman, from the Greek B (Beta), of Semitic origin. The small b was formed by gradual change from the capital B.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   In (Music), B is the nominal of the seventh tone in the model major scale (the scale of C major), or of the second tone in it's relative minor scale (that of A minor).  B♭ stands for B flat, the tone a half step, or semitone, lower than B.  In German, B stands for our B♭, while our B natural is called H (pronounced hä).
   
   [1913 Webster]