Escape character

In telecommunication, the term escape character (ESC) has the following meanings:

1. In alphabet coding schemes, a specially designated character, the occurrence of which in the data signifies that one or more of the characters to follow are from a different character code, i.e., have meanings other than normal.

2. In a text-control sequence of characters, a control character that indicates the beginning of the sequence and the end of any preceding text.

Source: from Federal Standard 1037C