alphabet
UK: ˈælfəbet | US: ˈælfəbet
n. a set of letters or symbols in a fixed order used to represent the basic sounds of a language
n. the basic elements or principles of a subject
The word "alphabet" originates from the first two letters of the Greek alphabet: alpha (Α, α) and beta (Β, β). This naming convention reflects how the Greeks conceptualized their writing system as a sequence of symbols. The term was later adopted into Latin as alphabetum and entered English via Old French. The logic is straightforward—just as "ABC" refers to the English letter sequence, "alphabet" encapsulates the Greek system by its initial components.
Children learn the alphabet before they start reading.
The Cyrillic alphabet is used in many Slavic languages.
She recited the alphabet backwards flawlessly.
Understanding the alphabet of music notation is essential for beginners.
The book introduces the alphabet of computer programming.