Middle English: from late Latin, representing Greek IHΣ as an abbreviation of Iēsous 'Jesus' used in manuscripts and also as a symbolic or ornamental monogram, but later often taken as an abbreviation of various Latin phrases, notably Iesus Hominum Salvator 'Jesus Saviour of Men', In Hoc Signo （vinces） 'in this sign (thou shalt conquer) ', and In Hac Salus 'in this (cross) is salvation'.