T

the twentieth letter of the English alphabet, is a simple consonant, allied to both D and N, all three of these letters being dental elements. It differs from D in the entire absence of vocality, and from N in the absence of a nasal as well as of a vocal quality. It is one of the three pure mutes (k and p being the other two), and is so called because it has no sound of its own, but merely serves to give an abruptness to the sound which immediately precedes or follows it in the same syllable. When t is followed by h, as in think and that, the combination really forms a distinct sound, for which we have no single character. This combination has two sounds in English; surd or whispered, as in think, and sonant or vocal, as in that. The letters ti, before a vowel, and unaccented, usually pass into the sound of sh, as in nation, motion, partial, which are pronounced nashun, moshun, parshal. In this case, t loses entirely its proper sound or use, and being blended with the subsequent letter, a new sound results from the combination, which is in fact a simple sound. If, however, s or x precedes, the combination ti has the sound of the English ch, as in Christian, mixtion, question. See Principles of Pronunciation, §§ 96—100. In etymology, t is interchangeable with d, and sometimes with l, p, s, and th.

T bandage (Surg.), a bandage shaped like the letter T, and used principally for application to the groin or perineum. — To suit or fit to a T, to suit exactly; to answer perfectly; — perhaps so used with reference to a T-square.