Alphabetical

/ˌælfəˈbɛtɪkəl/ adjective

Definition

Arranged in the order of the letters of the alphabet, from A to Z.

Etymology

From 'alphabet' (which combines Greek 'alpha' and 'beta,' the first two Greek letters) plus the suffix '-ical.' The concept of alphabetical ordering developed in medieval libraries and dictionaries.

Kelly Says

Alphabetical order is actually a fairly recent human invention—most ancient civilizations didn't organize information this way, and some languages didn't even have a fixed alphabet until surprisingly late, making organization much harder!

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