Hy'phen, n.

n. [Gr. ὑφέν, for ὑφ’ ἕν, under one, into one, together, a sign for joining two syllables.] (Print.) A mark or short line, thus [-], placed at the end of a line which terminates with one or more syllables of a word, the remainder of which is carried to the next line; or between two words, or parts of words, to show that they form a compound word, or are to be connected; as in pre-occupied, free-leaved, head-dress.