ASCII Character d

The character "d" is the fourth letter of the Latin and English alphabets in its lowercase form.

The shape of the lowercase "d" typically consists of a circular or oval part, called a 'bowl', on the left, and a vertical line, known as a 'stem', on the right that extends above the bowl. This forms a closed shape that is open on the left. The design of the "d" can vary somewhat depending on the typeface or font being used.

In terms of pronunciation, the lowercase "d" represents the same consonant sound as its uppercase counterpart "D". In English, it represents a voiced alveolar stop, which means it's produced by obstructing airflow in the vocal tract with the tongue pressed against the alveolar ridge, the small ridge just behind the upper front teeth.

Historically, the lowercase "d", along with other lowercase letters, came into existence after the uppercase letters. The development of lowercase letters is linked to the evolution of writing style from Roman stone carving to the quicker and more efficient writing methods used by scribes, where speed and space were valued. This cursive or minuscule writing eventually led to the development of the lowercase "d" as we know it today.