analphabet

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noun (1)

an·​al·​pha·​bet (ˌ)an-ˈal-fə-ˌbet 

-bət

: a person who cannot read : illiterate

analphabetic

ˌan-ˌal-fə-ˈbe-tik 

adjective or noun

analphabetism

(ˌ)an-ˈal-fə-bə-ˌti-zəm 

noun

analphabetic

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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

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noun (2)

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

Noun (1)

borrowed from New Latin analphabētus, derivative of analphabētus, adjective, "illiterate," borrowed from Greek analphábētos, from an- an- + -alphabētos, derivative of alphábētos alphabet

Adjective

analphabet + -ic

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1881, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1869, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1880, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for analphabet

• electrojet
• plantagenet
• videlicet
• abet
• asset
• baguette
• banquette
• barbette
• beget
• beset
• binet
• briquette