noun
a Semitic alphabet used since the 5th century BC for writing the Hebrew language (and later for writing Yiddish and Ladino)
• Syn: ↑Hebraic alphabet, ↑Hebrew script
• Hypernyms: ↑alphabet, ↑unicameral script
• Member Meronyms:
↑aleph, ↑beth, ↑gimel, ↑daleth, ↑he, ↑waw, ↑zayin, ↑heth, ↑teth, ↑yodh, ↑kaph, ↑lamedh, ↑mem, ↑nun, ↑samekh, ↑ayin
• Part Meronyms:
* * *
nounUsage: usually capitalized H
1. : a Semitic alphabet used since about the 5th century B.C. for writing Hebrew and in medieval and modern times used also for Yiddish and on occasion other languages — called also Aramaic alphabet; see alphabet table
2. : the Semitic alphabet used in writing Hebrew until about the 5th century B.C. and on occasion as late as the 2d century A.D. — called also ancient Hebrew alphabet, early Hebrew alphabet, old Hebrew alphabet
Useful english dictionary. 2012.