alphabetism

noun

al·​pha·​bet·​ism

-₋bətˌiz-,

-ˌbetˌiz-

plural -s

: the use of letters as symbols:

a

: the representation of speech sounds by vowel and consonantal rather than syllabic signs

b

: the use of groups of letters (such as ABC or XYZ) as a signature or nom de plume

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above

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