Korn Shell: Unix and Linux Programming Manual, Third Edition, The

Input Edit Commands

By default the editor is in input mode.

erase	(User defined erase character as defined by the stty command, usually ^H or #.) Delete previous character.
^W	Delete the previous blank separated word.
^D	Terminate the shell.
^V	Escape next character. Editing characters, the user's erase or kill characters may be entered in a command line or in a search string if preceded by a ^V. The ^V removes the next character's editing features (if any).
\	Escape the next erase or kill character.