What is "inferior letter"

Inferior \In*fe"ri*or\, a. [L., compar. of inferus that is below, underneath, the lower; akin to E. under: cf. F. inf['e]rieur. See Under.]

1. Lower in place, rank, value, excellence, etc.; less important or valuable; subordinate; underneath; beneath.

   A thousand inferior and particular propositions.
   --I. Watts.

   The body, or, as some love to call it, our inferior nature.
   --Burke.

   Whether they are equal or inferior to my other poems, an author is the most improper judge.
   --Dryden.

2. Poor or mediocre; as, an inferior quality of goods.

3. (Astron.)

   1. Nearer the sun than the earth is; as, the inferior or interior planets; an inferior conjunction of Mercury or Venus.

   2. Below the horizon; as, the inferior part of a meridian.

4. (Bot.)

   1. Situated below some other organ; -- said of a calyx when free from the ovary, and therefore below it, or of an ovary with an adherent and therefore inferior calyx.

   2. On the side of a flower which is next the bract; anterior.

5. (Min.) Junior or subordinate in rank; as, an inferior officer.

   Inferior court (Law), a court subject to the jurisdiction of another court known as the superior court, or higher court.

   Inferior letter, Inferior figure (Print.), a small letter or figure standing at the bottom of the line (opposed to superior letter or figure), as in A2, Bn, 2 and n are inferior characters.

   Inferior tide, the tide corresponding to the moon's transit of the meridian, when below the horizon.