palindrome

pal·in·drome

noun \ˈpa-lən-ˌdrōm\

Definition of PALINDROME

: a word, verse, or sentence (as “Able was I ere I saw Elba”) or a number (as 1881) that reads the same backward or forward

— pal·in·drom·ic \ˌpa-lən-ˈdrō-mik, -ˈdrä-\ adjective

— pal·in·drom·ist \ˈpa-lən-ˌdrō-mist\ noun

Examples of PALINDROME

1. The word “dad” and the number “1881” are palindromes.

Origin of PALINDROME

Greek palindromos running back again, from palin back, again + dramein to run; akin to Greek polos axis, pole — more at pole, dromedary

First Known Use: circa 1629

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

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

Rhymes with PALINDROME

aerodrome, astrodome, catacomb, chromosome, close to home, currycomb, double-dome, Down syndrome, foster home, funeral home, gastronome, harvest home, hecatomb, hippodrome, honeycomb, loxodrome, meadowfoam, metronome, mobile home, monochrome, motor home, nursing home, onion dome, plastic foam, pleasure dome, polychrome, ribosome, semidome, soldiers' home, stay-at-home, Styrofoam, velodrome