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Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

alphabetitis en · NOUN

Pronunciation

Etymology

From alphabet + -itis.

Meanings

  1. (uncountable) Mental weariness or lassitude brought about by an excessive exposure to letters, lettering, or acronyms
    • Yet I must not violate the sense of our Aphorism by pretending for even a moment that this puny seizure of alphabetitis is peculiar to our own time. 1965, Robert K. Merton, On the Shoulders of Giants:
    • "You handle the alphabet like a veteran New Dealer" — To which I answered — "God forbid," He continued — "If the audience can survive that attack of 'alphabetitis' they can stand anything." 1741, General Magazine and Historical Chronicle: Vol. XLIV Numb. I.:
    • A case of alphabetitis—or algebritis. 1908, The New England Magazine - Volume 37:
    • Chemists, you see, are also affected with "alphabetitis." 1944, The Rotarian - Vol. 64, No. 1: