macron

American  

[mey-kron, mak-ron] / ˈmeɪ krɒn, ˈmæk rɒn /

noun

Phonetics, Orthography.

1. a horizontal line used as a diacritic over a vowel to indicate that it has a long sound or other specified pronunciation, as (ā) in fate (fāt).

---

macron British  

/ ˈmækrɒn /

noun

1. a diacritical mark (¯) placed over a letter, used in prosody, in the orthography of some languages, and in several types of phonetic respelling systems, to represent a long vowel

---

Etymology

Origin of macron

1850–55; noun use of Greek makrón, neuter of makrós long. See macro-

Example Sentences

Index: entry for phrase 'Sei-kō U-doku' did not have a macron but in the book it did, so edited the index entry.

From The Foundations of Japan Notes Made During Journeys Of 6,000 Miles In The Rural Districts As A Basis For A Sounder Knowledge Of The Japanese People by Scott, J.W. Robertson

The same name may appear either with or without a macron or the macron may appear above different letters when the same name is printed in different places through the book.

From Japanese Fairy World Stories from the Wonder-Lore of Japan by Ozawa

In addition, the text contains two instances of a single m with a macron over it, signifying a double m.

From A Righte Merrie Christmasse The Story of Christ-Tide by Behrend, Arthur C.

Diacritical marks have been avoided, with the exception of the macron.

From The Little Clay Cart Mrcchakatika by Ryder, Arthur William

Index: The name 'Yosōgi' had the macron over the first o instead of the second one, inconsistent with the other index listing and the chapter text, so the index entry was corrected.

From The Foundations of Japan Notes Made During Journeys Of 6,000 Miles In The Rural Districts As A Basis For A Sounder Knowledge Of The Japanese People by Scott, J.W. Robertson