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Citation Information
How to Cite
Hendrickson, Robert. "acrolect; basilect; idiolect." Writer's Reference Center. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 18 Apr. 2025. <http://fofweb.infobase.com/wrc/Detail.aspx?iPin=EWPO00080>.
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acrolect; basilect; idiolect

Definition 
The acrolect (from the Greek akros, "topmost") is the best English spoken, the king's english, while the basilect means the lowest level of poor speech. Another unusual word patterned on dialect is idiolect, meaning the language or speech of an individual, which always differs slightly from person to person. These words were apparently coined toward the end of the 19th century. See dialect.

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