Synonyms

isogloss

American

[ahy-suh-glos, -glaws] / ˈaɪ səˌglɒs, -ˌglɔs /

noun

(in the study of the geographical distribution of dialects) a line on a map marking the limits of an area within which a feature of speech occurs, as the use of a particular word or pronunciation.

isogloss British

/ ˈaɪsəʊˌɡlɒs /

noun

a line drawn on a map around the area in which a linguistic feature is to be found, such as a particular pronunciation of a given word

"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

Other Word Forms

isoglossal adjective

Etymology

Origin of isogloss

< German (1892); iso-, gloss ²

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He has learned that a dragonfly is a great help in filling out an isogloss.

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023