{ } a. [ Gr. &unr_;, fr. &unr_; to separate, distinguish; dia` through + &unr_; to separate. See Critic. ] That separates or distinguishes; -- applied to points or marks used to distinguish letters of similar form, or different sounds of the same letter, as, ā, ă, ä, ō, &obreve_;, etc. “Diacritical points.” Sir W. Jones. [ 1913 Webster ]

A glance at this typography will reveal great difficulties, which diacritical marks necessarily throw in the way of both printer and writer. A. J. Ellis. [ 1913 Webster ]