enclosing punctus (critical sign)

Image:
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Simplesquare-with-dots.png
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Simplesquare-with-dots-middle.png
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File:
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Letters represented:
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In the scribe’s mind or in normalised spelling.
Appearance
Build type:
Combination
Notational device:
Baseline symbol, Critical sign
Components:
At the baseline:
Symbols:



Dot (baseline)
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and



Dot (baseline)
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Comments
The use of two enclosing punctus (plural of punctus) is often a general abbreviating device, for which see ‘enclosing punctus (abbreviating device)’. A related yet arguably separate function is that of marking out special symbols, such as Roman or Arabic numerals, or common brevigraphs such as those for immurgu and ni handsa. The main difference lies in its function as a critical sign, rather than as a placeholder for omitted letters. For instance, the Arabic numeral for 5 (below), which is to be ‘expanded’ in Irish as cúig, is only signalled by two punctus on either side.
Meaning
Represents:
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Context