monogram

¹mono·gram

noun \ˈmä-nə-ˌgram\

Definition of MONOGRAM

: a sign of identity usually formed of the combined initials of a name

— mono·gram·mat·ic \ˌmä-nə-grə-ˈma-tik\ adjective

Origin of MONOGRAM

Late Latin monogramma, from Greek mon- + gramma letter — more at gram

First Known Use: circa 1696

Other Alphabet Terms

cuneiform, linear, minuscule, pictograph, rune, symbology, wedge

Rhymes with MONOGRAM

aerogram, Amsterdam, anagram, Birmingham, Boulder Dam, cablegram, centigram, Christogram, chronogram, cofferdam, cryptogram, decagram, deprogram, diagram, diaphragm, epigram, fluid dram, giant clam, hard-shell clam, hexagram, histogram, Hohokam, hologram, kilogram, logogram, mammogram, milligram, Minicam, nomogram, oriflamme, pentagram, phonogram, pictogram, reprogram, Rotterdam, scattergram, self-exam, skiagram, soft-shell clam, sonogram, subprogram, telegram, tetradrachm, thank-you-ma'am, tinker's damn, Uncle Sam

²monogram

transitive verb

monogrammedmonogram·ming

Definition of MONOGRAM

: to mark with a monogram

— mono·gram·mer \-ˌgra-mər\ noun

First Known Use of MONOGRAM

1868

Other Alphabet Terms

cuneiform, linear, minuscule, pictograph, rune, symbology, wedge

monogram

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Originally a cipher consisting of a single letter, later a design or mark consisting of two or more letters intertwined. The letters thus interlaced may be either all the letters of a name or the initial letters of the given names and surname of a person for use on notepaper, seals, or elsewhere. Many early Greek and Roman coins bear the monograms of rulers or towns. Most famous is the sacred monogram, which is formed by the conjunction of the first two Greek letters of (Christ), usually with the (alpha) and (omega) of the Apocalypse on each side of it. The Middle Ages were extremely prolific in inventing ciphers for ecclesiastical, artistic, and commercial use. Related devices are the colophons used for identification by publishers and printers, the hallmarks of goldsmiths and silversmiths, and the logos adopted by corporations.