noun
- a series of lines or verses in which the first, last, or other particular letters when taken in order spell out a word, phrase, etc.
adjective
- Also a·cros·ti·cal. of, like, or forming an acrostic.
noun
-
- a number of lines of writing, such as a poem, certain letters of which form a word, proverb, etc. A single acrostic is formed by the initial letters of the lines, a double acrostic by the initial and final letters, and a triple acrostic by the initial, middle, and final letters
- the word, proverb, etc, so formed
- (as modifier)an acrostic sonnet
short poem in which the initial letters of the lines, taken in order, spell a word or phrase, 1580s, from Medieval Latin acrostichis, from Greek akrostikhis, from akros “at the end, outermost” (see acrid) + stikhos “line of verse,” literally “row” (see stair).