Alphabet
/ˈæl.fəˌbɛt/noun
A set of letters or symbols in a fixed order used for writing a language.
Did you know?The word 'alphabet' comes from the first two letters of the Greek alphabet, 'alpha' and 'beta', linking it to ancient wisdom and mystical knowledge.
Etymological Timeline
Phoenician
Phoenician
𐤀𐤁𐤔𐤕
“The first set of symbols representing sounds, crucial for communication.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἀλφάβητος (alphabētos)
“Derived from the first two letters, symbolizing the foundation of written language.”
Latin
Latin
alphabetum
“Adopted from Greek, referring broadly to the set of letters.”
Old French
Old French
alfabet
“Transformed from Latin, influencing modern European languages.”
Middle English
Middle English
alfabet
“Used to denote the set of letters in English and other languages.”
Modern English
English
alphabet
“The standard set of letters used in contemporary English writing.”