Acrostic

/əˈkrɒstɪk/ noun

Definition

A poem or piece of writing where the first letter of each line spells out a word or message when read vertically.

Etymology

From Greek 'akron' (tip/end) and 'stichos' (line of verse), literally 'line-ends'—the form was named for how the first letters of lines create a hidden message.

Kelly Says

Acrostics are one of poetry's oldest word games—ancient poets used them to hide dedications or secret messages, and they're still fun because they force writers to be creative within strict constraints.

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