Syl

/sɪl/ noun

Definition

A short form or nickname for the name Sylvester or Sylvia, sometimes used informally in older texts.

Etymology

A truncation of the name Sylvester (from Latin 'sylvestris' meaning 'of the forest') or Sylvia. This is a colloquial shortening common in early-to-mid 20th century usage.

Kelly Says

Syl is a ghostly word from older English usage—you'll find it in classic books and letters, but it's almost disappeared from modern speech, showing how even nicknames go in and out of fashion like clothing trends.

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