n. In Arabic script, the vowel point for "a", appearing as a diagonal line placed above a letter and designating a short /a/: ـَ. If the Arabic letters ا (ʾalif) or ى (ʾalif maqṣūra) immediately follow, it indicates a long /ā/.n. The vowel designated by this mark.n. fathern. Alternative spellings of fathah.