What does "alphabetism" mean?
An initialism: an abbreviation which is read letter by letter, such as UN.
Alphabetism
noun
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: An initialism: an abbreviation which is read letter by letter, such as UN.
- Grammar: alphabetism is listed as noun.
- Usage evidence: Some alphabetisms are written as if they weren't alphabetisms at all, like deejay for DJ, disc jockey, or emcee for MC, master of ceremonies.
How to use "alphabetism"
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- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
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Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "alphabetism" in a final draft.
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Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
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Final meaning check
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Definitions
Noun
- 1 An initialism: an abbreviation which is read letter by letter, such as UN. countable
"Some alphabetisms are written as if they weren't alphabetisms at all, like deejay for DJ, disc jockey, or emcee for MC, master of ceremonies."
- 2 The ability to read an alphabet, a rudimentary form of literacy. uncountable
"Some of the activities involved in ... corvée and military needs stimulated the spread of a certain type of minimal alphabetism for inventorying and most likely encouraged the development of a professional scribalism for record-keeping and book-keeping."
- 3 Excessive reliance upon the alphabet or alphabetic structures. uncountable
"The answer, I suggest, is that phonemism is rooted in alphabetism. Indeed, many linguists have suggested that there really is a /g/ phoneme at the end of 'fang' and other [ŋ]-final words in English, except that they are not pronounced!"
- 4 Discrimination on the basis of the first letter of a name. uncountable
"The injustice of "alphabetism" is, of course, a thorn in the Zitser side, and he playfully promises to assign the problem to "alphabetically neutral" aides."
Example
"Some alphabetisms are written as if they weren't alphabetisms at all, like deejay for DJ, disc jockey, or emcee for MC, master of ceremonies."
Common questions
How do you use "alphabetism" in a sentence?
Some alphabetisms are written as if they weren't alphabetisms at all, like deejay for DJ, disc jockey, or emcee for MC, master of ceremonies.
Etymology
From alphabet + -ism.