penult

[pee-nuhlt, pi-nuhlt]

noun

the next to the last syllable in a word.

Also pe·nul·ti·ma

[pi-nuhl-tuh-muh] /pɪˈnʌl tə mə/.

Origin of penult

1530–40; < Latin paenultima (syllaba), contraction of paene ultima almost the last; see pen-, ultima

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

Examples from the Web for penult

Historical Examples of penult

I am unaware why the accent is on the penult, and not on the ultimate of Willamette.
The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 14, No. 86, December, 1864
Various
The Indian name is pronounced as if written “Thayendanauga,” with accent on penult.
The American Revolution
John Fiske
Names on which accents are not placed are accented on the penult.
Creation Myths of Primitive America
Jeremiah Curtin
When the last syllable has a short vowel, such a penult, if accented, takes the circumflex.
Greek in a Nutshell
James Strong
Worcester's orthography is Hindostanee and Hindostany, but the accent is on the penult as above.
Every-Day Errors of Speech
L. P. Meredith

British Dictionary definitions for penult

penult

penultima (pɪˈnʌltɪmə)

noun

the last syllable but one in a word

Word Origin for penult

C16: Latin paenultima syllaba, from paene ultima almost the last

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

Word Origin and History for penult

adj.

"last but one," 1530s, abbreviation of penultima. As a noun from 1570s.