analphabetic

1 of 2

adjective

an·​al·​pha·​bet·​ic ¦an-ˌal-fə-¦be-tik 

1

: illiterate

2

[an- + alphabetic] : not alphabetic

specifically, of a system of phonetic transcription : representing each sound by a set of three symbols indicating respectively the articulating organs, place of articulation, and size and form of aperture

analphabetic

2 of 2

noun

an·​al·​pha·​bet·​ic ¦an-ˌal-fə-¦be-tik 

plural -s

: one who cannot read : illiterate

these … humble analphabetics … have left us no record

—Norman Douglas

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

analphabet + -ic

First Known Use

Adjective

1869, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1880, in the meaning defined above

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Rhymes for analphabetic

• aeromagnetic
• antiemetic
• antipathetic
• apologetic
• biogenetic
• biomimetic
• biosynthetic
• cytogenetic
• diagenetic
• diamagnetic
• diaphoretic
• epigenetic