(from the Greek ανα, backwards, and γράμμα, letter). Anagram (γράμμα, letter), in matters of literature, a transposition of the letters of some name, whereby a new word is formed, either to the advantage or disadvantage of the person or thing to which the name belongs. Thus the anagram of Galenus in angelus; that of Logica, caligo; that of Alfedius, fedulitos; that of Loraine is alerion, on which account it was that the family of Lorraine took alerions for their armory.—Calvin, in the title of his Institutions, printed at Strasbourg in 1539, calls himself Aleuimus, which is the anagram of Calvinius, and the name of an eminently learned person in the time of Charlemagne, who contributed greatly to the restoration of learning in that age.

Those who adhere strictly to the definition of an anagram, take no other liberty than that of omitting or retaining the letter H at pleasure; whereas others make no scruple to use E for A, V for W, S for Z, and C for K; and vice versa.

Besides anagrams formed as above, we meet with another kind in ancient writers, made by dividing a single word into several; thus, sus tinea mus, are formed out of the word fistineamus.

Anagrams are sometimes also made out of several words: such as that on the question put by Pilate to our Saviour, Quid est veritas? whereof we have this admirable anagram, viz. Efil vir qui adeit.

The Cabbalists among the Jews are professed anagrammatists; the third part of their art, which they call themuric, i.e., "changing," being nothing but the art of making anagrams, or finding hidden and mystical meanings in names; which they do by changing, transposing, and differently combining, the letters of those names. Thus, of the letters of Noah's name, they make pr grce; of rwn the Messiah, they make nwh he shall rejoice.