onomatopoeia
- the formation of a word, as cuckoo, meow, honk, or boom, by imitation of a sound made by or associated with its referent.
- a word so formed.
- the use of imitative and naturally suggestive words for rhetorical, dramatic, or poetic effect.
Origin of onomatopoeia
Related Words for onomatopoetic
imitative, onomatopoeic, onomatopoetic, mimic, parrot, mimetic, mimickingExamples from the Web for onomatopoetic
Historical Examples of onomatopoetic
In the cultural languages they recur, if at all, only in the onomatopoetic word-formations of later origin.
Elements of Folk PsychologyWilhelm Wundt
The use of onomatopoetic words, words whose sound signifies the sense, is so common that we seldom give it a thought.
Rhymes and MetersHoratio Winslow
Then follows the march, expressed both in musical notes and onomatopoetic words.
Shakespeare and MusicEdward W. Naylor
“Literary impressionism,” which is largely the use of onomatopoetic words, is a valuable factor in the artistic short story.
Threads of Grey and GoldMyrtle Reed
As we know, music is a language which may delineate actual occurrences by means of onomatopoetic sounds.
Critical & Historical EssaysEdward MacDowell
onomatopoeia
- the formation of words whose sound is imitative of the sound of the noise or action designated, such as hiss, buzz, and bang
- the use of such words for poetic or rhetorical effect
Word Origin for onomatopoeia
Word Origin and History for onomatopoetic
onomatopoeia
1570s, from Late Latin onomatopoeia, from Greek onomatopoiia "the making of a name or word" (in imitation of a sound associated with the thing being named), from onomatopoios, from onoma (genitive onomatos) "word, name" (see name (n.)) + a derivative of poiein "compose, make" (see poet). Related: Onomatopoeic; onomatopoeial.