ogham

or og·am

[ og-uhm, aw-guhm ]

noun

1. an alphabetic script used originally for inscriptions in an archaic form of Irish, from about the 5th to the 10th centuries.
2. any of the 20 characters of this script, each consisting of one or more strokes for consonants and of notches for vowels cut across or upon a central line on a stone or piece of wood.
3. an inscription employing this script.

ogham

/ ɔːm; ˈɒɡəm /

noun

1. an ancient alphabetical writing system used by the Celts in Britain and Ireland, consisting of straight lines drawn or carved perpendicular to or at an angle to another long straight line

Word History and Origins

Origin of ogham¹

1620–30; < Irish; MIr ogum, ogom

Word History and Origins

Origin of ogham¹

C17: from Old Irish ogom, of uncertain origin but associated with the name Ogma, legendary inventor of this alphabet

Example Sentences

These inscriptions are called in Ireland “ogham;” they are principally straight lines, grouped in different ways.

From Project Gutenberg

Ogham, a sort of writing often used on tombstones to mark the names of the persons buried.

From Project Gutenberg

The alphabet of the Irish bard may have been the Beith-luis-nion, represented by the Ogham character, of which more hereafter.

From Project Gutenberg

It is to be regretted that the subject of Ogham writing has not been taken up by a careful and competent hand.

From Project Gutenberg

Each practice is quite as primitive an effort of nature as the Ogham of the Celtic bard.

From Project Gutenberg