Asper

noun

1. Rough; rugged; harsh; cruel; savage.
2. In <em>Greek grammar</em>, a sign (′ ) placed before or over an initial vowel or <bt>ρ</bt> to show that it is aspirated, that is, pronounced as if <em>h</em> preceded it; the rough breathing. Thus, <bt>ο=ς</bt> = <em>hos</em>; <bt>ῤίς</bt> = <em>hris.</em>
3. An old Egyptian and Turkish silver coin: now only a money of account.
4. The rough breathing; a mark (ʽ) placed over an initial vowel sound or over ρ to show that it is aspirated, that is, pronounced with <ex>h</ex> before it; thus "ws, pronounced hōs, "rh`twr, pronounced hrā"tōr.
5. A Turkish money of account (formerly a coin), of little value; the 120th part of a piaster.