U+204A "⁊" Tironian Sign Et Unicode Character

U+204A "⁊" Tironian Sign Et is a typographic symbol that historically served as a shorthand abbreviation for the Latin word "et," meaning "and." Originating from the Tironian notes, an ancient Roman system of shorthand attributed to Marcus Tullius Tiro, this character was widely used in medieval manuscripts across Europe, particularly in Ireland and Scotland, where it remains a common symbol in Gaelic script and signage to this day. Unlike the modern ampersand (&), which evolved from a ligature of "e" and "t," the Tironian et is a distinct, simpler mark that resembles a reversed or flattened numeral seven, and it is still supported in digital typography for historical and linguistic applications.