Definition of: runic alphabet

(r′nik)
An old Germanic alphabet, probably originating in both the Latin and Greek, consisting originally of 24 characters, or runes, later reduced to 16 in Scandinavian writings. The earliest inscriptions in this alphabet are of the second or third century A.D. In England it was still in occasional use at the end of the Old English period, and was finally completely replaced by the Roman alphabet through the spread of Christian writings. Also called futhark.