[f. vol world (alteration of E. world) + a connecting vowel, + pük speech (alteration of E. speak).] An artificial language, chiefly composed of materials from European tongues, invented in 1879 by a German priest, Johann M. Schleyer, as a means of international communication. Also transf.
1885. Sat. Rev., 3 Jan., 15/1. Volapük is the name of the recently invented world-language, or universal tongue.
1885. Milan (TN) Exchange, 6 June, 3/1. Volapʁk is a language, and the name is a sample of it.
1888. Contemp. Rev., Sept., 434. In his shop-fronts the Russian mercifully interprets his Cyrillian characters by that original volapuk of the world’s infancy, the picture.
1890. O. W. Holmes, Over Tea-cups, v. 99. Music will be the universal language—the Volapük of spiritual being.
Hence Volapüker, Volapükist, an advocate or student of Volapuk.
1886. Pall Mall G., 30 Dec., 4/1. It seems that the Volapükists have published a directory giving the names and addresses of its disciples.
1887. Scott. Leader, 28 Nov., 4. As much practice … as in the case of a living language, would be needed to give the Volapuker facility in dialogue.
