boustrophedon
[ boo-struh-feed-n, -fee-don, bou- ]
/ ˌbu strəˈfid n, -ˈfi dɒn, ˌbaʊ- /
noun
an ancient method of writing in which the lines run alternately from right to left and from left to right.
Origin of boustrophedon
1775–85; < Greek
boustrophēdón literally, like ox-turning (in plowing), equivalent to
bou- (stem of
boûs) ox +
-strophē- (see
strophe) +
-don adv. suffix
Words nearby boustrophedon
Example sentences from the Web for boustrophedon
The words of the text are ranged in squares in such a manner as to be read either vertically or boustrophedon.
It is written in the most ancient Greek characters, and in the Boustrophedon manner.
Museum of Antiquity |L. W. Yaggy
British Dictionary definitions for boustrophedon
boustrophedon
/ (ˌbuːstrəˈfiːdən, ˌbaʊ-) /
adjective
having alternate lines written from right to left and from left to right
Word Origin for boustrophedon
C17: from Greek, literally: turning as in ploughing with oxen, from
bous ox +
-strophēdon from
strephein to turn; see
strophe