epenthesis
[ uh-pen-thuh-sis ]
/ əˈpɛn θə sɪs /
|
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.
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Nearby words
- ependymal cell,
- ependymitis,
- ependymoblast,
- ependymocyte,
- ependymoma,
- epenthesize,
- epenthetic,
- epergne,
- epexegesis,
- epexegetic
Origin of epenthesis
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for epenthesis
Epenthesis, e-pen′the-sis, n. the insertion of a letter or syllable within a word.
Epenthesis is the insertion of a sound which facilitates pronunciation, such as that of b in Fr.
The Romance of Names|Ernest WeekleyConsicio, 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
epenthesis
/ (ɛˈpɛnθɪsɪs) /
noun plural -ses (-ˌsiːz)
the insertion of a sound or letter into a word
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
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