chronogram

American  

[kron-uh-gram] / ˈkrɒn əˌgræm /

noun

1. an inscription in which certain Roman numeral letters express a date or epoch on being added together by their values.

2. a record made by a chronograph.

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chronogram British  

/ ˌkrɒnəʊɡrəˈmætɪk, ˈkrəʊnə-, ˈkrɒnəˌɡræm /

noun

1. a phrase or inscription in which letters such as M, C, X, L and V can be read as Roman numerals giving a date

2. a record kept by a chronograph

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Other Word Forms

• chronogrammatic
  adjective
• chronogrammatical
  adjective
• chronogrammatically
  adverb
• chronogrammatist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of chronogram

First recorded in 1615–25; chrono- + -gram ¹

Example Sentences

"He decided to ignore the previously adopted chronogram of reform and elections," the internal EU's sanctions list said.

From Reuters • Feb. 4, 2022

They're both of the sixteenth century, when we were prosperous and artistic; and over the north-side entrance there's a chronogram inscription concerning the siege.

From The Chauffeur and the Chaperon by Anderson, Karl

If not, I can only make Howell's chronogram equivalent to 1927.

From Notes and Queries, Number 193, July 9, 1853 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc by Bell, George

It might be supposed to be a chronogram, but for the introduction of the letter "E."

From Notes and Queries, Vol. IV, Number 111, December 13, 1851 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc. by Various

This is the date given in the chronogram which is engraved on his tomb, although several Persian biographers give a different year.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 7 "Gyantse" to "Hallel" by Various