Ampersand (noun)

1. The symbol '&' used to represent the word 'and'.
2. The symbol used to join two words together to form a single entity.

Origin:

Derived from the phrase 'and per se and' meaning 'and by itself and'.

Examples:

1. In company names, the ampersand is often used to join two parts of the name, such as Johnson & Johnson.
2. The ampersand is used as a shorthand symbol to mean 'and' in mathematical and logical expressions.
3. The new software program allowed the user to type the ampersand symbol using a combination of keyboard keys.
4. The book had an appendix that listed the most commonly used symbols, including the ampersand.
5. The ampersand is considered a unique and versatile symbol, having a rich history and usage in various fields.