Alphabet
/ˈæl.fə.bɛt/noun
A set of letters or symbols in a fixed order used for writing a language.
Did you know?The term 'alphabet' derives from the first two letters of the Greek alphabet, Alpha and Beta, linking it to ancient knowledge and communication magic.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semantic
Phoenician
𐤀𐤁𐤕
“The series of symbols representing sounds, forming the basis of written language.”
8th Century BCE
Greek
ἄλφαβητος (alphabētos)
“The series of letters used in Greek, derived from the first two letters of the Phoenician script.”
Late 14th Century
Old French
alphabet
“The set of letters used in the French language, borrowed from Latin and Greek influences.”
Early 15th Century
Middle English
alfabet
“The English adaptation of the term, referring to the order of letters in written communication.”
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