boustrophedon
[ boo-struh-feed-n, -fee-don, bou- ]
/ ˌbu strəˈfid n, -ˈfi dɒn, ˌbaʊ- /
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noun
an ancient method of writing in which the lines run alternately from right to left and from left to right.
Nearby words
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
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples 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
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
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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boustrophedon
1783, ancient form of writing with lines alternately written left-to-right and right-to-left, from Greek, literally "turning as an ox in plowing," from bous "ox" (see cow (n.)) + strephein "to turn" (see strophe).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper