epenthesis

[uh-pen-thuh-sis]

noun, plural ep·en·the·ses

[uh-pen-thuh-seez] /əˈpɛn θəˌsiz/.

the insertion of one or more sounds in the middle of a word, as the schwa in the nonstandard pronunciation [el-uh m] /ˈɛl əm/ of elm.

Origin of epenthesis

1650–60; < Late Latin: insertion of a letter < Greek epénthesis equivalent to ep- ep- + en- en-² + thésis placing; see thesis

Related formsep·en·thet·ic

[ep-uh n-thet-ik] /ˌɛp ənˈθɛt ɪk/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for epenthesis

Historical Examples of epenthesis

Epenthesis is the insertion of a sound which facilitates pronunciation, such as that of b in Fr.
The Romance of Names
Ernest Weekley
Epenthesis, e-pen′the-sis, n. the insertion of a letter or syllable within a word.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M)
Various
Consicio, contrary to Epenthesis, is when somewhat is cutte of from the myddeste of the worde, as: Idolatry for Idololatry.
A Treatise of Schemes and Tropes
Richard Sherry

British Dictionary definitions for epenthesis

epenthesis

noun plural -ses (-ˌsiːz)

the insertion of a sound or letter into a word

Derived Formsepenthetic (ˌɛpɛnˈθɛtɪk), adjective

Word Origin for epenthesis

C17: via Late Latin from Greek, from epentithenai to insert, from epi- + en- ² + tithenai to place

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012