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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.
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Origin of boustrophedon

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; see origin at cow1, strophe

Words nearby boustrophedon

bourrée, bourse, bourtree, bouse, bousouki, boustrophedon, bousy, bout, boutade, boutel, boutique
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use boustrophedon in a sentence

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
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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