from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Comma \Com"ma\, n. [L. comma part of a sentence, comma, Gr. ?
clause, fr. ? to cut off. Cf. {Capon}.]
1. A character or point [,] marking the smallest divisions of
a sentence, written or printed.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Mus.) A small interval (the difference between a major
and minor half step), seldom used except by tuners.
[1913 Webster]
{Comma bacillus} (Physiol.), a variety of bacillus shaped
like a comma, found in the intestines of patients
suffering from cholera. It is considered by some as having
a special relation to the disease; -- called also {cholera
bacillus}.
{Comma butterfly} (Zool.), an American butterfly ({Grapta
comma}), having a white comma-shaped marking on the under
side of the wings.
[1913 Webster]