This Week’s Fun & Fancy Word: Abecedarian!
This Week’s Fun & Fancy Word Is:
What do you call a pre-schooler who is learning the alphabet? An abecedarian, of course. It means one who is learning the rudiments of something, specifically referring to someone learning the alphabet.[1]
Paradoxically, the word abecedarian was also attached to a short-lived radical sixteenth-century German sect. One with an absolute disdain for all forms of learning, even knowledge of the alphabet. [2] This contradictory meaning makes it a contronym, which is another one of our Fun & Fancy Words.
Etymology:
Origin Of The Word Abecedarian
Originates from abecedary “alphabet book, primer” (going back to Middle English abscedary). Which was borrowed from Medieval Latin abecedarium (also “alphabet, primer”). It is derived from the first several letters of the alphabet, a + b + c + d+ arius, which means pertaining to the alphabet.[3]
Find A Caboodle
Of Fun & Fancy Words Here.
Endnotes:
[1] Merriam-Webster Dictionary.
[2] World Wide Words.
[3] Zapatka, David. “Word of the Month: Abecedarian.” Sun Lakes Splash.
Share This Post, Choose a Platform!
Stay in the know about what’s in our ever-growing treasure trove of literary goodness. And, get your free Discover Everything a Book Has to Offer packet.
Related Posts
Is your night stand stacked with books to be read later? If so, you may be engaging in tsundoku. Find out here.... Read More
Abibliophobia. It means the fear of running out of things to read. Do you suffer from this frightful word? ... Read More
Contronyms can either be fun or frustrating. They're words that have contradictory meanings depending on the context. Check out a few here.... Read More
Autodidact. If your curiosity brought you to this post, then you’re already well on your way to becoming one! Can you guess what it means? ... Read More