boustrophedon

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

noun

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

boustrophedon

/ ˌbaʊ-; ˌbuːstrəˈfiːdən /

adjective

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

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

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

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