Main Entry: an·al·pha·bet

Pronunciation: \(ˌ)an-ˈal-fə-ˌbet, -bət\

Function: noun

Etymology: Greek analphabētos not knowing the alphabet, from an- + alphabētos alphabet

Date: 1881

: a person who cannot read : illiterate

— an·al·pha·bet·ic \ˌan-ˌal-fə-ˈbe-tik\ adjective or noun

— an·al·pha·bet·ism \(ˌ)an-ˈal-fə-bə-ˌti-zəm\ noun