1 a. the sign (’) that is used in writing to show that numbers or letters have been left out, as in ‘don’t’ (=do not) and ’86 (=1986) b. the same sign used before ‘s’ to show that something belongs to someone or something, or is connected with them, as in ‘John’s book’, or ‘Charles’ mother’, or ‘Henry’s first year as a teacher’ c. the same sign used before ‘s’ to show the plural of letters and numbers as in ‘Your r’s look like v’s.’ 撇号，复数符号〔表示字母或数字的复数，如在 Your r’s look like v’s 中的撇号〕