acrostic

acros·tic

noun \ə-ˈkrȯs-tik, -ˈkräs-\

Definition of ACROSTIC

1

: a composition usually in verse in which sets of letters (as the initial or final letters of the lines) taken in order form a word or phrase or a regular sequence of letters of the alphabet

2

: acronym

— acrostic also acros·ti·cal \-ti-kəl\ adjective

— acros·ti·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Origin of ACROSTIC

Middle French & Greek; Middle French acrostiche, from Greek akrostichis, from akr- acr- + stichos line; akin to steichein to go — more at stair

First Known Use: 1530

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

ablaut, allusion, anacoluthon, diacritic, gerund, idiom, infinitive, metaphor, semiotics, simile

Rhymes with ACROSTIC

agnostic, prognostic