(from the Greek ἀνά, backwards, and γράφω, letter), 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 is angelus; that of Logica, caligo; that of Alstedius, sedulitas. Calvin, in the title of his Institutions, printed at Strasburg in 1539, calls himself Aelius, which is the anagram of Calvinus, and the name of the great restorer of learning in the time of Charlemagne.

Those who adhere strictly to the definition of an anagram take no other liberty than that of omitting or retaining the letter π at pleasure; whereas others make no scruple to use e for ξ, 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 sustineamus. 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., Est vir qui adest. A work entitled Z. Celsipirii (Christ. Serpalli) de Anagrammatismo, Libri II. Ratish. 1715, 8vo, gives numerous examples of this art.

The cabalists among the Jews are professed anagrammatists; the third part of their art, which they call themur, 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 נֹחַ, the letters of Noah's name, they make נָחַר, grace; of מָשֶׁה, the Messiah, they make מָשֶׁה, he shall rejoice.

Thomas Billon, a Provençal, was a celebrated anagrammatist, and retained by Louis XIII. with a pension of 1200 livres, in the capacity of anagrammatist to the king.