ACROSTIC

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does acrostic mean? 

• ACROSTIC (noun)
  The noun ACROSTIC has 2 senses:

1. a puzzle where you fill a square grid with words reading the same down as across

2. verse in which certain letters such as the first in each line form a word or message

  Familiarity information: ACROSTIC used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ACROSTIC (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A puzzle where you fill a square grid with words reading the same down as across

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

acrostic; word square

Hypernyms ("acrostic" is a kind of...):

mystifier; puzzle; puzzler; teaser (a particularly baffling problem that is said to have a correct solution)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Verse in which certain letters such as the first in each line form a word or message

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("acrostic" is a kind of...):

literary composition; literary work (imaginative or creative writing)

 Context examples 

When this method fails, they have two others more effectual, which the learned among them call acrostics and anagrams.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

“Oh! for myself, I protest I must be excused,” said Mrs. Elton; “I really cannot attempt—I am not at all fond of the sort of thing. I had an acrostic once sent to me upon my own name, which I was not at all pleased with. I knew who it came from. An abominable puppy! You know who I mean (nodding to her husband). These kind of things are very well at Christmas, when one is sitting round the fire; but quite out of place, in my opinion, when one is exploring about the country in summer. Miss Woodhouse must excuse me. I am not one of those who have witty things at every body's service. I do not pretend to be a wit. I have a great deal of vivacity in my own way, but I really must be allowed to judge when to speak and when to hold my tongue. Pass us, if you please, Mr. Churchill. Pass Mr. E., Knightley, Jane, and myself. We have nothing clever to say—not one of us.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)