alphabet

English

/ˈæl.fə.bɛt/, /ˈæl.fə.bɪt/

noun
Definitions
  • The set of letters used when writing in a language.
  • A writing system in which letters represent phonemes. Contrast e.g. logography, a writing system in which each character represents a word, and syllabary, in which each character represents a syllable.
  • (computer science) A typically finite set of distinguishable symbols.
  • (India) An individual letter of an alphabet; an alphabetic character.
  • The simplest rudiments; elements.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English alphabete derived from Latin alphabētum (alphabet) derived from Ancient Greek ἀλφάβητος (alphabet).

Origin

Ancient Greek

ἀλφάβητος

Gloss

alphabet

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms