boustrophedon

[ boo-struh-feed-n, -fee-don, bou- ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

an ancient method of writing in which the lines run alternately from right to left and from left to right.

boustrophedon

/ ˌbuːstrəˈfiːdən; ˌbaʊ- /

adjective

having alternate lines written from right to left and from left to right

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Word History and Origins

Origin of boustrophedon¹

First recorded in 1775–85; from Greek boustrophēdón literally, “like an ox turning (in plowing),” equivalent to bou- (stem of boûs ) “bull, cow, ox” + -strophē- + -don adverb suffix; cow ¹( def ), strophe

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Word History and Origins

Origin of boustrophedon¹

C17: from Greek, literally: turning as in ploughing with oxen, from bous ox + -strophēdon from strephein to turn; see strophe

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Example Sentences

The words of the text are ranged in squares in such a manner as to be read either vertically or boustrophedon.

From Project Gutenberg

It is written in the most ancient Greek characters, and in the Boustrophedon manner.

From Project Gutenberg

bousouki bousy

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