esses

Esses is a term with multiple meanings across languages and contexts. It can refer to linguistic or typographic concepts, as well as to uses in geography, language, and onomastics.

In English usage, an ess is the name given to the letter S. The plural form is esses, and the word can refer either to multiple letters S or, more commonly, to S-shaped curves in writing, design, or geometry. The phrase the Esses is often used to describe a winding sequence of S-shaped turns on a road or track.

In road design and motor sports, the Esses denotes a series of successive S-shaped curves that require alternating steering and braking. Such curves are found on mountain passes and historic racecourses, where drivers must navigate a curved corridor that doubles back in opposite directions.

In Portuguese, esses is a masculine plural demonstrative adjective or pronoun meaning those (as opposed to estes, which means these). It is used to refer to masculine nouns previously mentioned or understood in context, for example esses carros meaning those cars.

Etc/Onomastics and toponymy: Esses can also appear as a surname or as a proper noun in certain regions, where it may designate a family name or a local place name. As with many such terms, the precise meaning depends on the linguistic and cultural context.

See also: the Esses (disambiguation), ess (linguistics), and Portuguese demonstratives.