ceneme (n.)

A term used in GLOSSEMATICS to refer to the minimal UNIT in a language’s PHONOLOGICAL system. Cenematics and cenetics are the terms used to refer to the analysis of cenemes at LEVELS corresponding to those of phonology and PHONETICS respectively.

In the study of writing systems, a SIGN which denotes only linguistic FORM; opposed to plereme, where MEANING is also involved. There are two main types: syllabaries (e.g. Japanese kana) and alphabets. Systems of cenemic signs are more economical in their use of elementary units, and are often thought to represent a more advanced state of writing.