acrostic

An acrostic is a composition in which the initial letters of a sequence of lines, paragraphs, or stanzas spell out a word or message when read in order. The term comes from the Greek akrostikhēs, from akros meaning “top” and stichos meaning “line” or “row.” In broader usage, an acrostic also refers to puzzles in which solving clues provides words that collectively reveal a hidden phrase.

Forms and variants. In a typical acrostic poem, the first letters of successive lines form a word or message, often serving as a dedication or reveal. A telestich is the reverse, using the last letters of lines to spell the message. A mesostic uses a vertical keyword formed by middle letters of lines. Some compositions employ both ends, known as double acrostics, to hide messages in multiple positions.

History and usage. Acrostics appear in ancient texts and have appeared across various cultures. Hebrew literature features alphabetic acrostics in several Psalms and in Lamentations. Classical poets and medieval writers used acrostics for wordplay, praise, or authorship cues. In modern times, acrostics persist as literary devices and as puzzles, valued for their structural elegance and mnemonic or cipher-like properties.

Modern puzzles and education. In puzzle culture, acrostics are common in newspapers and books, where clues yield words that, when arranged, reveal a quotation, theme, or name. They are also used as mnemonic tools in education to help remember sequences or categories, leveraging the hidden message to reinforce learning.