Abecedary

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /ËŒeɪ.biː.ˈsiː.dÉ™.i/
• US IPA: /ËŒeɪ.bi.ˈsi.dÉš.i/, /ËŒeɪ.bi.ˈsi.dÉ™.ɹi/

Origin

From Middle English, abecedary, from Medieval Latin abecedarium ("alphabet, primer"), from Late Latin abecedarius ("of the alphabet"), formed from the first four letters of the Latin alphabet + -arius.

The sense "primer, abecearium" is from Medieval Latin abecedarium ("alphabet, primer").

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Full definition of abecedary

Noun

1. (rare) The alphabet, written out in a teaching book, or carved on a wall; a primer; abecedarium. First attested from 1350 to 1470.
2. One that teaches or learns the alphabet or the fundamentals of any subject; abecedarian. Late 16^th century.

Adjective

1. Referring to the alphabet; alphabetical; related to or resembling an abecedarius; abecedarian. First attested from 1350 to 1470.