dah

Everyday

1. Dah is the long sound or long signal in Morse code, written as a dash (−); the short one is «dit». tree →
2. (informal) «Dah» is a sound people say, as in «ta-dah!», when showing something proudly; it can also be a spelling of «duh» meaning «that's obvious». tree →
3. (a name) Dah is not an English word in other uses; it may be a part of a name or a word in another language. tree →

In the lessons

In science and history lessons on communication, Morse code uses dits and dahs: the letter A is «dit-dah» (·−), and SOS is «dit-dit-dit, dah-dah-dah, dit-dit-dit». In play, «Ta-dah!» announces a magic trick.

Examples

• In Morse code, the letter A is dit-dah. tree →
• SOS is three dits, three dahs and three dits. tree →
• Ta-dah! said the magician, pulling out a rabbit. tree →
• Hold the button longer for a dah than for a dit. tree →
• «Is water wet?» «Dah, of course!» tree →
• We tapped out dahs and dits on the desk. tree →

Note

A sound word, not a common word on its own. «Dah» and «dit» are spoken names for dash and dot. Spellings of the show-off sound: «ta-da», «ta-dah», «tada».

In Jewish tradition

In science and history lessons on communication, Morse code uses dits and dahs: the letter A is «dit-dah» (·−), and SOS is «dit-dit-dit, dah-dah-dah, dit-dit-dit». In play, «Ta-dah!» announces a magic trick.

Examples

• Deswegen spricht auch Stobaeus von bios vier Elementen, . . . weil das Juenfte Element als reiner Urgrund noch keine Zahl und daher im Kosmos nicht voshanden ist." (S. (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914)) tree →

Note

A sound word, not a common word on its own. «Dah» and «dit» are spoken names for dash and dot. Spellings of the show-off sound: «ta-da», «ta-dah», «tada».