aleph-bet

noun

variants or alef-bet

ˈä-ˌlef-ˈbet 

-ləf-

: the Hebrew alphabet

In Hebrew each letter in the aleph-bet has a numerical value.

—Loris DeMarco, Sweeter Than Honey, 2008

But an acrostic composition, which presupposes not only the invention of the Hebrew alef-bet but also a literate milieu, was intended for appreciation in written form, whereby appeal is made to the eye.

—Dictionary of the Old Testament, 2008

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Modern Hebrew āleph-bēyth

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined above

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