abecedarian

[ ey-bee-see-dair-ee-uhn ]

noun

1. a person who is learning the letters of the alphabet.
2. a beginner in any field of learning.

adjective

1. of or relating to the alphabet.
2. arranged in alphabetical order.
3. rudimentary; elementary; primary.

abecedarian

/ ˌeɪbiːsiːˈdɛərɪən /

noun

1. a person who is learning the alphabet or the rudiments of a subject

adjective

1. alphabetically arranged

Word History and Origins

Origin of abecedarian¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Medieval Latin abecedāriānus; abecedary, -an

Word History and Origins

Origin of abecedarian¹

C17: from Late Latin abecedarius, from the letters a, b, c, d

Example Sentences

In “The Know-It-All,” Jacobs told of his 18-month effort to read the entire “Encyclopaedia Britannica,” using its abecedarian entries as prompts for reflection and anecdotes.

From New York Times

All are presented so skilfully that one can imagine that Professor Mach's hearers departed from his lecture-room with the conviction that science was a matter for abecedarians.

From Project Gutenberg

For one of the aforesaid abecedarians said to the other as I was hurrying by: "Hear me, I tell you I'll seize him by the tail, I'm not a bit afraid."

From Project Gutenberg

To begin at the beginning—the Alphabetical Blocks and Educational tables from which our Southern abecedarian takes his initial lesson, were projected and manufactured in the North.

From Project Gutenberg

Introduce the abecedarian to but one letter at first.

From Project Gutenberg