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Entry 6 senses · 3 variants Webster, 1913

L

/(ĕl)/ · IPA /[l]/
01 n. L is the twelfth letter of the English alphabet, and a vocal consonant. It is usually called a semivowel or liquid. Its form and value are …
  1. 1.
    L is the twelfth letter of the English alphabet, and a vocal consonant. It is usually called a semivowel or liquid. Its form and value are from the Greek, through the Latin, the form of the Greek letter being from the Phœnician, and the ultimate origin prob. Egyptian. Etymologically, it is most closely related to r and u; as in pilgrim, peregrine, couch (fr. collocare), aubura (fr. LL. alburnus).
  2. 2.
    As a numeral, L stands for fifty in the English, as in the Latin language.
    “For 50 the Romans used the Chalcidian chi, �, which assumed the less difficult lapidary type, �, and was then easily assimilated to L.” — I. Taylor (The Alphabet).
02 n. An extension at right angles to the length of a main building, giving to the ground plan a form resembling the letter L; sometimes less pro…
  1. 1.
    An extension at right angles to the length of a main building, giving to the ground plan a form resembling the letter L; sometimes less properly applied to a narrower, or lower, extension in the direction of the length of the main building; a wing.
  2. 2.
    A short right-angled pipe fitting, used in connecting two pipes at right angles.(Mech.)
03 a. Having the general shape of the (capital) letter L; as, an L beam, or L-beam.
  1. 1.
    Having the general shape of the (capital) letter L; as, an L beam, or L-beam.
  2. 2.
    Elevated; -- a symbol for el. as an abbreviation of elevated in elevated road or railroad.[Colloq., U. S.] Also: el.