chronograms
/ˈkrɑnəˌɡræmz/
noun
- A phrase or inscription in which certain letters (usually capitalized) are interpreted as Roman numerals and together indicate a date or number.
- Medieval scholars often created chronograms to secretly record important years in texts.
- She studied the chronogram carved into the monument, deciphering the hidden date from the capital letters.
- The old church had a chronogram on its cornerstone that read 'ChrIstVs natVs est' to show the year 1621.