syllable etymology

Etymology

The word "syllable" comes from the Late Latin word "syllaba," which in turn comes from the Greek word "συλλαβή" (syllabē).

Meaning

A syllable is a single vocal sound or a combination of sounds that is pronounced as a single unit. It is the smallest unit of speech that can be uttered. For example, the word "cat" has one syllable, while the word "computer" has three syllables.

Origin

The Greek word "συλλαβή" (syllabē) is derived from the verb "συλλαμβάνω" (syllambanō), which means "to take together" or "to comprehend." In the context of speech, syllables are thought of as the smallest units of sound that can be combined to form words.

Additional Information

• The division of words into syllables is governed by a set of rules that vary from language to language.
• Syllables can be open (ending in a vowel sound) or closed (ending in a consonant sound).
• The number of syllables in a word is called its "syllable count."
• Syllable count is important for certain aspects of English pronunciation, such as stress patterns.

syllable relate terms

• lemma

  Etymology The word lemma has its origins in ancient Greek Lemma λήμμα thing

• heptasyllabic

  Etymology Greek hepta seven syllabē syllable Meaning Consisting of sev

• seven

  Etymology Origin Old English seofon Meaning The number seven Usage A cardinal nu

• syllable

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

• reduplication

  Etymology From Latin reduplicare to fold back from re back duplicare

• dactyl

  Etymology Greek daktulos finger Meaning A digit on the hand or foot A small

• diphthong

  Etymology Diphthong comes from the Greek words diphthongos meaning having two soun

• thesis

  Etymology The word thesis comes from the Ancient Greek word τίθημι tithēmi

• accent

  Etymology From Middle English accent borrowed from Old French accent derived from

• balcony

  Etymology The word balcony comes from the Italian balcone which in turn is derived f

• prosody

  Etymology and Origin Prosody comes from the Greek word prosōdía meaning accent m

• word

  Etymology is the study of the origin of words and their development through history It in

• antepenultimate

  Etymology From Latin antepenultimus third from the last from ante before pen

• participle

  Etymology Latin participle noun French participe noun English participle noun