pi meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

pi

noun

/paɪ/

Etymology From Koine Greek πῖ (pî), from Ancient Greek πεῖ (peî), ultimately from Proto-Semitic *pay- (“mouth”). Doublet of pe. Its mathematical use apparently stems from its use as the first letter in περιφέρεια (periphéreia, “periphery; circumference”) and was first cited in 1706 in the Synopsis Palmariorum Matheseos by William Jones.

1

The sixteenth letter of the Classical and Modern Greek alphabets and the seventeenth in Old Greek.

2

Mathematics, Sciences An irrational and transcendental constant representing the ratio of the circumference of a Euclidean circle to its diameter; approximately 3.14159265.

Derived terms: pi bond, piem, pi font, pi-heptomino, pilish, pi meson, pi-minus, pion, piphilology, pi-plus, pi-system, pith

pi

verb

Etymology Unclear. Possibly from the Greek letter (see Etymology 1) as a common example of non-alphabetic character, possibly from pica (“type size”) (see Etymology 3), possibly from pie referring to its mixed nature or pied (“checkered, multicoloured”).

1

Letterpress typography, Media, Publishing, Typography To spill or mix printing type.

pi

adj

Etymology Unclear. Possibly from the Greek letter (see Etymology 1) as a common example of non-alphabetic character, possibly from pica (“type size”) (see Etymology 3), possibly from pie referring to its mixed nature or pied (“checkered, multicoloured”).

1

Media, Publishing, Typography Not part of the usual font character set; especially, non-Roman type or symbols as opposed to standard alphanumeric Roman type.

In computing, pi characters may be entered with special key combinations.

Derived terms: pi character

pi

noun

Etymology Unclear. Possibly from the Greek letter (see Etymology 1) as a common example of non-alphabetic character, possibly from pica (“type size”) (see Etymology 3), possibly from pie referring to its mixed nature or pied (“checkered, multicoloured”).

1

Letterpress typography, Media, Publishing, Typography Metal type that has been spilled, mixed together, or disordered.

pi

adj

Etymology Abbreviations.

1

Pious.

Our Major was "Cherub" Cheeseman, noted for his foul language. I am afraid he lost a tidy little legacy that he was expecting from his aunt, the Dowager Lady Shuttlecock (a very "pi" old lady), through this same habit of his.1927, Magdalen King-Hall, I Think I Remember: Being the Random Recollections of Sir Wickham Woolicomb, an Ordinary English Snob and Gentleman:
“Those are very 'pi' sentiments. Was a preacher in Staffordshire— I was raised chapel, though've tried to forget it—he talked that way... redemption and the lot.”1972, Anya Seton, Green Darkness, Hachette UK, →ISBN:

1 more example

In Sense and Sensibility, as even you might agree, there's at least the danger of a rather pi moral framework clamping down on the spontaneous fun and leaving the sisters to survive - a bit drearily - on the periphery of a mean world.1994, Roger Gard, Jane Austen's Novels: The Art of Clarity, Yale University Press, →ISBN, page 101:

Derived terms: pi-jaw
Related terms: pica stick, cicero, pi sai

pi

noun

Etymology Abbreviations.

1

Media, Publishing, Typography pica (conventionally, 12 points = 1 pica, 6 picas = 1 inch).

2

Piaster.