penultima etymology

Etymology:

The word "penultima" comes from Latin, where it is formed from the combination of:

  • "paene" (almost)
  • "ultimus" (last)

Meaning and Origin:

Penultima literally means "almost last" or "next to last." It refers to the position of the second-to-last syllable, vowel, or element in a word, sequence, or series. In other words, it is the penultimate item before the final one.

The concept of penultima is often used in linguistics, poetry, and music:

  • Linguistics: In grammar, the penultima refers to the second-to-last syllable of a word, especially in Latin and Greek words.
  • Poetry: In meter, the penultima describes the position of the second-to-last metrical foot in a line of verse.
  • Music: In music theory, the penultima refers to the second-to-last note in a musical phrase or motif.

The term "penultima" is commonly used in various contexts, including:

  • Science: Describing the last but one stage in a process or sequence.
  • Literature: Referring to the second-to-last chapter or scene in a book or play.
  • History: Discussing events or developments that occurred just before a significant event or conclusion.

penultima relate terms

  • ultimate

    Etymology Ultimate From Middle English ultimat from Late Latin ultimātus superlat

  • penult

    Etymology The word penult comes from the Latin word paenultima meaning next to las

  • penultima

    Etymology The word penultima comes from Latin where it is formed from the combination

  • penultimate

    Etymology From Late Latin paenultimus from paene almost ultimus last Mean

  • penultima

    Etymology The word penultima comes from Latin where it is formed from the combination

  • proximate

    Etymology The word proximate comes from the Latin word proximus meaning nearest o

  • syllable

    Etymology The word syllable comes from the Late Latin word syllaba which in turn com

  • poindexter

    Etymology The term Poindexter originated as a fictional character in the 1950s comic s

  • Babylon

    Etymology The word Babylon is derived from the Akkadian word Babilu or Bab ili

  • stoic

    Etymology The word stoic is derived from the Greek word Στωικός Stoikos wh

  • bunting

    Etymology The word bunting has two distinct origins Old English bunt meaning a f

  • scarlet

    Etymology Middle English scarlet from Old French escarlate from Late Latin scarlatum

  • precept

    Etymology The word precept comes from the Latin word praeceptum which means comman

  • plagiarism

    Etymology The word plagiarism comes from the Latin word plagiarius which means kidn

  • reckon

    Etymology Middle English reknen from Old English reccan Proto West Germanic rakōn

  • carnival

    Etymology and Origin of Carnival The word carnival has its roots in the Latin phrases