I. ˈkyü noun
( plural q's or qs )
Usage: often capitalized, often attributive
1.
a. : the 17th letter of the English alphabet
b. : an instance of this letter printed, written, or otherwise represented
c. : a speech counterpart of orthographic q (as q in quick, Iraq )
2. : a printer's type, a stamp, or some other instrument for reproducing the letter q
3. : someone or something arbitrarily or conveniently designated q especially as the 16th or when j is used for the 10th the 17th in order or class
4. : something having the shape of the letter Q
II. noun
( plural q's )
Usage: usually capitalized
Etymology: from initial letter of quality factor
: the ratio of the reactance to the resistance of an oscillatory circuit
one of the primary factors in determining the degree of selectivity of a tuned circuit is the q — J.F.Rider & S.D.Uslan
III. abbreviation
Usage: often capitalized
1.
[Latin quadrans ]
farthing
2.
[Latin quaere ]
inquire
3. quantity
4. quart
5. quarter; quarterly
6. quartermaster
7. quarto
8. quasi
9. queen
10. query
11. question
12. quetzal
13. quick
14. quintal
15. quire
IV. symbol
Usage: capitalized
1.
[from initial letter of quality factor ]
quality factor
2.
[from initial letter of German quelle source]
second source — used in biblical criticism to designate material belonging to a hypothetical written source used in addition to Mark and perhaps other sources in writing the Gospels of Matthew and Luke