Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • An alphabet derived from the Greek alphabet: The Cyrillic alphabet is a writing system developed in the First Bulgarian Empire during the 9th century AD. It is based on the Greek uncial script, with additional letters created to represent sounds not present in Greek.
   • An alphabet used for writing Slavic languages: It is the script used for languages such as Russian, Bulgarian, Serbian, Ukrainian, Belarusian, and Macedonian, as well as many non-Slavic languages across Eurasia.

Usage

• The term "Cyrillic alphabet" is used as a proper noun to name this specific writing system. It is often used in historical, linguistic, and cultural contexts.
• It is commonly preceded by the definite article "the" (e.g., Cyrillic alphabet).

Examples

• Proper noun:
  • Russian is written in the Cyrillic alphabet.
  • Learning the Cyrillic alphabet is the first step to reading Serbian.
  • The Cyrillic alphabet was traditionally attributed to the disciples of Saints Cyril and Methodius.

Advanced Usage

• "to transliterate into Cyrillic": to write words from another language using Cyrillic letters.
  • Foreign names are often transliterated into Cyrillic for official documents in Russia.
• "Cyrillic script": a synonym often used interchangeably with "Cyrillic alphabet," emphasizing the system of characters.
  • The sign was written in Cyrillic script, so I couldn't read it.

Variants and Related Words

• Cyrillic (adj): Of or relating to the Cyrillic alphabet.
  • She is studying Cyrillic paleography.
• Cyrillization (n): The process of converting text into the Cyrillic alphabet.
• Glagolitic alphabet (n): An older Slavic alphabet created by Saints Cyril and Methodius, which preceded and influenced the development of the Cyrillic alphabet.

Synonyms

• Cyrillic script: The system of writing.
• Azbuka (n): A term derived from the old names of the first two letters (Az and Buki), sometimes used informally, especially in Slavic languages, to refer to the alphabet.

Related Phrases

• to know/read Cyrillic: To be literate in the alphabet.
  • He can speak Russian but doesn't know Cyrillic.
• Cyrillic letter: An individual character within the alphabet.
  • The Cyrillic letter 'Ж' represents a sound like the 's' in 'pleasure'.

Notes

• The Cyrillic alphabet should not be confused with the Russian alphabet, which is one specific modern variant of it. Other languages use slightly different sets of Cyrillic letters.
• While historically and structurally related, the Cyrillic alphabet is distinct from the Latin alphabet used for English and the Greek alphabet from which it was derived.

Noun

1. an alphabet derived from the Greek alphabet and used for writing Slavic languages (Russian, Bulgarian, Serbian, Ukrainian, and some other Slavic languages)